Marshawn Lynch's goal on Media Day was to not get fined.
In the end, there is a chance that effort goes for naught.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Lynch could be subject to a fine for wearing a "Beast Mode" hat during his availability, per league source. It will be reviewed following the Super Bowl.
ESPN first reported the possibility of a fine.
Players are not allowed to wear brands that conflict with league partners on the field, during postgame press conferences and at league events, such as Super Bowl Media Day.
But Lynch's choice of hat manufacturer might help him skate by that rule.
"I just talked to Marshawn Lynch's longtime agent, Doug Henderson, who said simply 'it's absurd,' " Rapoport said Wednesday on Super Bowl Live. "The reason why is because that hat is made by New Era, which is actually an approved NFL sponsor. Either way, this is something the league is looking into and we should have a verdict after the Super Bowl for Marshawn Lynch."
Lynch wore a similar "Beast Mode" hat Wednesday during his media availability. As he did on Tuesday, the Seattle Seahawks' running back timed his stint with the media and left his podium after the required time frame.
The phrase of the day on Wednesday was: "You know why I'm here," which was a call back to the prior day's "I'm here so I won't get fined" refrain.
If the league levies a fine for the hat, it wouldn't be the first time.
In 2007, Brian Urlacher was fined $100,000 -- the standard fine for a Super Bowl apparel violation -- for wearing a Vitaminwater hat.
This season Colin Kaepernick was fined the mandated $10,000 for wearing Beats headphones, which is a direct competitor with league-partner Bose. Â
These fines aren't new. In 1985, then-commissioner Pete Rozelle fined Jim McMahon $5,000 for wearing an Adidas headband during a playoff game.
Where Lynch's situation differs is that his "Beast Mode" hat was made by New Era, the NFL's official hat provider. However, a clothing website was reportedly selling the gear as "the hat Marshawn wore during the 2015 SB Media Day" for $33 each.
Whether or not the NFL deems the hat to be a finable offense won't be determined until after Sunday's Super Bowl game.
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