Seahawks' Pete Carroll on Marshawn Lynch: 'He's being true to himself'

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Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch participates in Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

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Seattle defensive back Richard Sherman reacts during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Elsa / Getty Images)

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Seattle Coach Pete Carroll addresses the crowd during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

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Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson laughs after being handed some briefs during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

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Seattle defensive back Earl Thomas addresses reporters during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

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Seattle running back Marshawn Lynch talks with NFL Network’s Deion Sanders during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

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Seattle defensive back Richard Sherman is handed a drawing during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson has some fun with the press during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

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Patriots Coach Bill Belichick wears flip-flops to Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Matt York / Associated Press)

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New England quarterback Tom Brady accepts noodles and chopsticks from some sort of super hero during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

Stephen Gostkowski, Karim Mendiburu Contreras

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Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has his photo taken with NBC Sports’ Karim Mendiburu Contreras during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft addresses reporters during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Patriots offensive lineman Nate Solder poses for a selfie during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Elsa / Getty Images)

Shane Vereen, James Develin, Brandon Bolden

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Shane Vereen, James Develin and Brandon Bolden pose for a selfie with a Patriots fan during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Rob Carr / Getty Images)

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New England quarterback Tom Brady attracts a crowd during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Larry W. Smith / EPA)

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Patriots Coach Bill Belichick actually seemed to be enjoying himself during portions of Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Elsa / Getty Images)

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New England tight end Rob Gronkowski holds up Chya Mayo during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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New England long snapper Danny Aiken dances with a Seattle Seahawks cheerleader during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Patriots quarterback Tom Brady accepts a gift during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Rob Carr / Getty Images)

Rob Gronkowski, Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski

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New England tight end Rob Gronkowski talks to figure skaters Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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Media members from TV Azteca hold up puppets at Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Elsa / Getty Images)

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A radio station reporter, wearing a barrel, takes selfies during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Matt York / Associated Press)

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New England tight end Rob Gronkowski poses for a selfie with Charissa Thompson during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Matt York / Associated Press)

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New England Patriots’ Chandler Jones gives a thumbs up during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Mark Humphrey / Associated Press)

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Patriots running back LaGarrette Blount talks during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

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New England Coach Bill Belichick enjoyed some lighthearted moments during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Elsa / Getty Images)

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Media members from TV Azteca hold up puppets during Super Bowl XLIX media day Tuesday in Phoenix. (Elsa / Getty Images)

By Austin KnoblauchStaff Writer

Jan. 28, 2015 10:22 AM PT

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Everybody is making a big deal out of Marshawn Lynch not wanting to talk to reporters, but Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll doesn’t have a problem with his hardly quotable running back.

Carroll defended Lynch during a news conference Wednesday, saying people need to accept his Skittles-loving, touchdown-romping star for who he is.

“You are seeing a guy being himself, not what everybody wants him to be,” Carroll said. “He’s being true to himself.”

Lynch made his mandatory appearance during Super Bowl Media Day on Tuesday, telling the media gathered around him, “I’m here so I won’t get fined,” 29 times. He said it while wearing a hat from his “Beast Mode” line of clothing -- a fashion accessory that doesn’t fall within the NFL’s strict rules regarding sponsorship at league events.

As for Lynch, he came back with a new one-line zinger during his compulsory media appearance Wednesday: “You know why I’m here.”