The NFL is back - and, maybe more importantly, so is Marshawn Lynch.
The Oakland Raiders' fan-favorite running back made his much-anticipated return against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon, helping his hometown team to a 26-16 win.
Lynch led the game in rushing with 76 yards on 18 carries and added one catch for 16 yards, but it's not what he produced so much as how he did it that should make fans excited. Beginning on the second play of the game, Lynch broke off a 14-yard rush to assure his doubters he hadn't lost a step.
The league missed you, Marshawn.#OAKvsTEN pic.twitter.com/Bo90jcYctW
— OAKLAND RAIDERS (@RAIDERS) September 10, 2017
Even when he missed a pass, the 31-year-old was obviously still having a great time back on the gridiron.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ #RaiderNation #OAKvsTEN pic.twitter.com/p9zHlQdFyD
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2017
Lynch's personality was also on full display in the fourth quarter as he let the Titans know how he really felt about them.
Football was boring without Marshawn Lynch pic.twitter.com/gPYypDgdDD
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 10, 2017
And when it was time for Beast Mode to run out the clock, he did more than just grab a first down - he ran over a 305-pound Pro Bowl defensive lineman.
Sometimes... It's best to just stay out of BEASTMODE's way. #OAKvsTEN #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/tr3ViqHdEh
— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2017
Even after the game, Lynch was up to his old tricks, attempting to hide in the corner of Jack Del Rio's press conference, playing up his own notorious aversion to the media.
Marshawn Lynch interrupts Del Rio's time with Raiders media: "I was available for 3 minutes. They didn't holler at me. I'm good, right?" pic.twitter.com/BDQtprUYYR
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) September 10, 2017
Welcome back, Marshawn. We missed you.
