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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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It’s official. Marshawn Lynch will supply no more football memories

In this AP file photo, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks through a tackle-attempt by Dallas Cowboys' Sean Lee (50) as Cowboys Byron Jones, left, comes over to help on the running play in the second half of an NFL football game, in Arlington, Texas.
In this AP file photo, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks through a tackle-attempt by Dallas Cowboys' Sean Lee (50) as Cowboys Byron Jones, left, comes over to help on the running play in the second half of an NFL football game, in Arlington, Texas.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • So long Marshawn Lynch. Thanks for the memories. Read on.

••••••••••

• If you live long enough, you are able to build a stable of memories. Inside are the horses of the past, prancing around hoping to get out and run around your mind once again. When it comes to running backs, there are only two who I care to ride on occasion. There is the thoroughbred, the Secretariat of my memories, O.J. Simpson. (Yes, I know. The most recent memory we all have of O.J. – and the only memories of most – is of a broken down nag, ready for the glue factory. But there once was a time when he was a football champion.) There is, like a laurel of roses, one run in particular. A touchdown run against UCLA back in the day, a run that was all speed and flash and elusiveness. O.J.-style. He scored from 64 yards out and, in my memory at least, all 11 Bruins had a shot at him. None could bring him down. Few touched him. It was magnificent. It was O.J. at his best. But there is another run, and another running back, that joins him in my corral. The Beast. Shorter, sure, but packing an 18-hands-tall heart. Marshawn Lynch would never run through the gate in our stable of memories. He would bust through the fence. And flatten two stable hands while escaping. His 67-yard scoring run against the New Orleans Saints in 2010 was all strength and anger and power, with a dash of subtly thrown in. Honestly, I never thought a run would equal Simpson’s in my mind. After all, the UCLA dash happened when I was young and events of our youth imprint themselves forever. But Lynch’s earthquake-causing rumble thrust itself into the pantheon with brute force. He was a Clydesdale pounding down the field at the speed of Seattle Slew and exhibiting the heart of Affirmed. He was not to be denied. That was Marshawn Lynch at his finest, and the way I will always remember him. Someday the “it’s all about the action, boss” and the statement about fines will all be forgotten. But the images of that run will survive until I fade away. And, if it starts to disappear, as O.J.’s run has, there is always YouTube. Boom. It’s fresh again. I can take it out, brush aside the brambles of age and watch one of the great sports figures of my life run again. Not around but through. And that’s what made Marshawn, Marshawn.

•••

• WSU: So far there have been two Washington State football games in this countdown of next year's Pac-12 best. ... What does WSU need next year? ... There is one team leading the Pac-12 basketball race that no one really expected to be there. And there is another team involved in that chase that everyone expected to be on top.

• Gonzaga: Domantas Sabonis’ father was a big deal in Portland for years. So it’s no wonder the Oregonian has this long feature on the newest Sabonis to make a splash. ... Freshmen, no matter their age, take a while to acclimate.

• EWU: Bogdan Bliznyuk won an award yesterday for his play last week.

• Seahawks: So everyone has their thoughts about Lynch’s retirement, including our John Blanchette who covers all the bases in this column. But there are other thoughts, for example how the money freed up from Lynch’s departure can be used and the timing of his decision. And, of course, Lynch’s legacy in Seattle. ... One of the best things I read yesterday was Russell Wilson writing about what Peyton Manning meant to him.

• Mariners: Saw this news and my first thought was simple: How can this not be some sort of water feature?

• Sounders: Jordan Morris stepped on the practice field for the first time as a Sounder. He fit right in.

•••

• There is one truism in sports (and life, really). Nothing lasts forever. With Lynch stepping away it reminds us once again to enjoy the moments. To cherish them when they occur, to not sweat the little stuff. Don’t let the chatter obscure the essence of what is happening on the field. Just a thought. Until later ...



Vince Grippi
Vince Grippi is a freelance local sports blogger for spokesman.com. He also contributes to the SportsLink Blog.

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