You’ve heard of a sheep in wolves clothing, well Marshawn Lynch was a goon in gentleman’s clothing during this summer’s photo shoot with ESPN Magazine. Issue designer Amar’e Stoudemire wanted to help transition Marshawn’s street style to something a tad more urbane and upscale, a fashion migration he himself had completed. What follows is a play-by play of Marshawn’s journey through the photo shoot. The must-watch video is below.
“My style is simple — very simple,” says Lynch, who grew up in Oakland. “I ain’t no flashy dude.” The Seahawk arrives in an oversize T-shirt and baggy jeans that in a pinch could serve as a parachute. Stoudemire’s vision: an Oakland James Bond. “A ghetto 007?” Lynch asks. “Yeah, we can try that.” Stoudemire selects a gray tailored-fit two-button suit, lavender shirt and silk tie. “Brah-brah, I’m not trying to be wearing nothing small,” Lynch says while tugging at the collar. “Can’t be lookin’ like Urkel, not bein’ able to breathe ’cause the clothes are too tight.” Seeing his path blocked, Stoudemire calls timeout with Lynch and focuses on his other subject.
Back with Lynch, Stoudemire pulls out a slightly roomier Dolce & Gabbana black suit with a black knit tie and a crisp white shirt. “This ain’t street, this is Wall Street,” Lynch says. Stoudemire can relate to his 25-year-old subject: When he was drafted out of high school in 2002, he didn’t want to dress up either. “I wanted to be street, urban in fashion,” he says. Just then, a blue plaid shirt catches Lynch’s eye. “Oh, I like this right here,” he says. Lynch then concedes by pairing it with a different three-piece suit sans the constricting coat. Says Stoudemire, “With Marshawn, it has to be one day at a time, one event at a time, but I think I succeeded with my Oakland James Bond.”
Revenge of the Jocks Photo Shoot by ESPN
Keep an eye on Marshawn on Sundays. He’s led the Seattle Seahawks to 2 straight victories leaving them in 2nd place behind the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
