After receiving the heartbreaking news that their franchise will be leaving for Las Vegas in the near future, Raiders fans have something to cheer for again. Running back Marshawn Lynch officially came out of retirement and joined Oakland on Wednesday, and he was so excited that once he tried on his new helmet, he didn’t want to take it off.
Behind the scenes: @MoneyLynch comes home. pic.twitter.com/IP8PYK3ImL
— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) April 26, 2017
Yep, it looks like Beast Mode may have worn that baby all the way home.
Marshawn Lynch left the @RAIDERS building today wearing his helmet. pic.twitter.com/K2ruxeHRVS
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) April 26, 2017
Lynch also received a small favor from former Raiders standout Charles Woodson. Lynch wore No. 24 during his stint with the Seahawks, but Oakland had appeared to unofficially retire that number when Woodson, who also wore No. 24 for 11 seasons in Oakland, retired in 2015.
But Lynch received permission from the all-time great to wear his old number. That’s great, because Marshawn going back to his No. 23 from the Bills days or something new just wouldn’t feel right.
Marshawn Lynch officially will wear No. 24 with the Raiders. Charles Woodson approved the jersey assignment, Lynch's mother told @957thegame
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) April 26, 2017
Lynch, an Oakland native, sat out last season in retirement. He signed a two-year deal with the Raiders this week, but that didn’t actually mean anything initially because the Seahawks still owned his NFL rights. So the Raiders sent a future draft pick to Seattle to nail down Lynch’s contract.
If he returns to his all-pro form and quarterback Derek Carr continues his growth, the Raiders could build on last year’s 12-4 record.
Safe to say Beast Mode is excited for potentially bringing his hometown team back to national relevance?
It's time. pic.twitter.com/sgIQgZlkVM
— Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) April 26, 2017
