Former Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch appears to have confirmed on Sunday evening that he is retiring from the NFL, wrapping up a nine-year playing career that started with the Bills in 2007.
— Shawn Lynch (@MoneyLynch) February 8, 2016
The Bills drafted Lynch with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, and he spent three-plus seasons in Buffalo as the starting running back. In that time frame, Lynch made one Pro Bowl, but averaged a disappointing 4.0 yards per carry for his Bills career before the team traded him to the Seattle Seahawks after the first month of the 2010 NFL season. (They turned the keys to the backfield over to Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller at that juncture.)
It was in Seattle that Lynch's career really took off, and where he established himself as one of the greatest playoff running backs in recent memory. Lynch made four straight Pro Bowls between 2011-14, was a first team All-Pro selection in 2012, and helped the Seahawks make the playoffs in five out of the six seasons he played there.
In all, Lynch wraps up his nine-year playing career with 9,112 rushing yards (at 4.3 yards per carry), 1,979 receiving yards (at 7.9 yards per reception), and 83 total touchdowns in regular season play. In 11 career playoff games, Lynch added 937 rushing yards (at 4.9 yards per carry), 127 receiving yards (at 10.6 yards per reception), and nine touchdowns. He also retires in possession of a Super Bowl ring, having won with the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Lynch's running style was endearing to anyone who watched him play, but his personality and relationship with the media made him a controversial figure nonetheless. Still, the first Bills draft pick we ever covered here at Buffalo Rumblings turned out to be a pretty great player, even if it took him leaving Buffalo to reach that level.