Origin Story

I love that you're lounging, like, we're just trying to show off your, your bicep, man. What is this? Are you still working out all the time? What happened, honestly?

I'm like, barely even younger. Like, ex-football players, a lot of ex-athletes, they look like, I mean, they all. just let it go, right?

That's how long I've been doing this.

Not a chance. Probably not. Okay? Because, like I've said for many times, Marshawn has taken years off my life in a good way, in a bad way at times.

Like it is what it is.

You're interested, you're an agent, you're out there, everybody's hustling. I imagine, to get this guy's attention, you immediately identify that it factor. But what was, I mean, what else, I mean, how did you manage then the relationship? How did you first engage Marshawn to make the point that you're a little different than all these other damn agents that are a dime a dozen?

And we go to the Snoop show in San Francisco, and I'm thinking just he and I.

Instead of him coming solo, he came with probably 20, 30 people.

So, you know what I mean? When it came down to, like at this point, you know, I'd have been hearing from a few agents, and all of them was kind of, you know, talking the same, you know, shit.

Like, hey, look, you know, Snoop and Town, we going to the show, like, you know what I mean? You should come type shit. All right, I'm going to come and pull up on you and see what's up. Then, like he said, I...

But anyway, Snoop says, hey, listen, man, this white guy here, you can trust him. He's family.

It wasn't just mom. It wasn't cousin. It was Oakland. He wanted to know what can you do for my crew in Oakland? And he wanted to build a youth center in Oakland.

He wanted to give back to the community. He wanted to empower the community. He wanted to change people's lives.

So, you know, it's always been something, uh, uh, you know, that I strive to do. And then it just so happened that I had a, you know, I had a family that was, you know, in the same position that I was, with an opportunity to go to the league. So, you know, collectively, you know what I mean? That was the type of hype that we was on.

So back in 2007, no, bullshit, me and Marshawn trademark beast mode. In 2007, we, we spent probably what Marshawn five grand trademark beast mode. And we was one of the first athletes ever to trademark something. So we trademark beast mode.

uh, one of my coaches from my little league team used to call me man child. And then, as it started going on, like, boy, that boy, a beast, that boy, a beast. And then I heard, uh, that's when, uh, when Boosie started coming out, uh, and that motherfucker would go hard with some shit, and he had a song, uh, beast mode. And I'm like, Ooh, that shit was catchy. That shit was on.

And I was feeling that motherfucker. And then that, that man child, which are he, a beast? And then, yeah. And then that shit just transformed to I'm beast mode. But, hell yeah.

Shout out to Boosie. Cause, when that shit came out and that shit started going crazy, like, yeah, I adopted that shit. And, uh, And you, I mean, it literally is like a mask you.

It was like, well, you know, they always tell me, no, you can't do that. No, you can't do this. Or that's not possible. There's not a third. So then I'm just like, well, shit, fuck it.

Uh, Hey, Doug, I want to, I want to, I mean, I want to start a, uh, a nonprofit. It was like, all right, hook me up with the people to do it. Then my focus did it like, Oh shit, we accomplished some shit. Like, damn, we did it. And then it's like, okay, now, where do we go from here?

So I say, you know, if I'm in this thing, I want to not only help more Sean through his career, but also make sure that I'm there for him when he's done, because these players have problems when they're done. It's not when they're playing, when they're playing, it's great. The lights are on, checks are coming in. But what, when, what happens when they're done? playing for the next 20, 30 years, any sport, you look at, shows like ESPN broke, you look at all the different shows out there, what's going to happen then?

So I said, listen, if I want to get into saying, I want to be in for the real reasons, look after more Sean. So he's 40,, 50, six years old. And I mean that sincerely that the job I have is people live to work. People work to live. Most people in the world, as you know, they work at a job and they hate what they do, but you got to get a paycheck to pay the rent, mortgage, car payment, whatever it may be.

I literally have a job. I live to work. I mean, I love what I do. Don't even really know how much money I make, but I get to see clients like more Sean.

I get to see the fruits of it, man. I've seen what more Sean's built in terms of what he's done for Oakland, the community. He stayed, he hasn't left. He's been there, been around. And so these are the kinds of things I love doing and players I want to be around with.

He's like, I was the biggest, right?

uh, it was Kevin Barlow. Kevin Barlow, not even Barlow. Yeah.

And I don't know, like, you know, what the dynamics of their relationship was, but he was just like, Hey, just make sure you stay on top of your agent. Because, like you said, it was a trend. It was transactional. So, you know what I mean? I, I told Doug straight up, like, Hey, it ain't going to be.

no, you feel me? You come, you get this check and then you don't holler at me like motherfucker, you better pick up that phone and holler at your boy. Or, when I pick up the phone and I ain't calling to just talk to you about, you know what I mean? What's going on with, uh, you know, a contract or nothing. I'm gonna call him.

Hey, what's up? How, you know, how? the kids doing? You know what I mean? Like, Hey, we, we got this event going on.

You better come, pop out and, you know what I mean? Show us up. So, I mean, you know, I think it was, you know, both of us being proactive and, uh, and, uh, you know, building a relationship that, you know, we didn't know. Well, I for sure didn't know that you could have between a agent and player, but I mean, you know, it was a lot of, it was a lot of things that, you know, I think could have handled that, because, you know, at the time, uh, there wasn't, uh, I'm pretty sure there's a lot more, but there wasn't a lot of black, uh, black agents. Yeah.

So, um, you know, the few that was in it, they, they, their angle was more like, uh, you know, don't go and sign with the white boy. And, you know what I mean? Not just Doug, and, but, you know, that was just a thing. So, you know, for me to step out and actually give him an opportunity, and, you know what I mean, to start to, uh, build the trust in our relationship, that shit was, that shit was big. And it was a leap of faith that, you know, actually turned out to be.

He said, don't bullshit me. Shoot me straight. Look me in the eye and whether it be good or bad, if it's when things are, things are gonna be good, but things would go bad. Tell me the truth. And I'll never forget that.

He said, don't come at me, crooked.

Was it something? he went the extra mile? You're like, damn, this guy is the real deal. Uh, I'm a hundred. I I'm all in.

And he like, okay, hold on. I'll call you right back, bro. And he called me back, like, well, what's his name? You know what I mean? Where he went to jail at?

You know what I mean? And, uh, we're going to figure some shit out. And then you feel me from there, was like, Oh shit. He didn't judge me based off of, you know, uh, you know, me, calling him, telling him that my cousin had went to jail. Like he didn't backpedal on me.

You feel me, though? He, he showed up and then you feel me to me, which was the extra step. Like, you know what I mean? Because of where I was at. You know what I mean?

He went, you know what I mean? To the bail bondsman, and you know what I mean? Put down his own, you know what I mean? His own chicken type shit. And I'm like, Oh, like, yeah, this white boy got my back on some other shit.

Like, but the biggest thing, it wasn't even the, the, you know, him going down to the bail bondsman or, you know, handling the situation. It was that when it happened, he didn't judge me. Yeah.

And that shit was that, that shit was big. And that's when it had clicked for me. Like, Oh yeah, you know what? He might be locked in now. It could have been, because at that point in time, I might have been, uh,

um, his, uh, biggest name client, but the fact that he went to work and made that shit happen,

Marshawn had an issue in Buffalo and he, it was a, it was a hit and run thing. It was bullshit. You know, the whole thing. This is what, just a couple of years. This is 2000..

This is like his second year in the league. So he's, he's in Buffalo, gets in this hit and run deal. Minor thing. It was going to be, it was a no issue. Right.

So the team sets him up with an attorney. So this attorney thinks he's the next F, Lee Bailey and Johnny Cochran. And he wants to not, not get the case over with. He wants to like, make this thing CNN and public and go, take this thing. Instead of getting like a misdemeanor ticket, he wants to take this thing to court and all that.

So more Sean, you know, being from Oakland, he's like, Hey man, don't talk to anybody. Don't talk to your agent. Don't talk to anybody. Lawyers. So, so, so for three, four days in a row, I don't hear from Marshawn.

Okay. And I'm like, this is weird, man. Like I. literally, he's not calling me back. And so, so this, no bullshit.

at four in the morning. I wake up. my wife, Shiloh. We all know, it says, where are you going? She's like, I'm going to Buffalo.

I'm going to Buffalo. And she's like, what do you mean? you're going to Buffalo? And I said, I go, I go, I don't know what's going on, but more Sean's not getting back to me. I, something, this thing doesn't get handled.

Cause I got tipped off from Goodell that if we don't get this case over, something might go down. Meaning he'll get suspended. Right. Massive fine. So now this attorney's not calling me back.

Cause I'm not his client. Marshawn's my client. So she's like, where are you going? I said, I'm going to Buffalo. She's like, have you planned on going?

I said, no. So I literally go to the airport. I'm going to the airport. I book a flight. This is like December.

I connect through Chicago, get to Buffalo. Okay. I get a cab and I go to Marshawn's house. Okay. I'll never forget.

He opens a door in like a robe or his shorts on a t-shirt, on eating fruity pebbles or lucky charms. Remember this? And he looks at me, he says, talk about the diet. later. He looks at me and he's like, what the fuck are you doing here?

And I said, I came here. and he says, were you, I didn't know you were in town. I said, I didn't know it was coming either. He says, what are you here for? I said, listen, here's the deal.

I need 10 minutes. I said, we need to fire this attorney. We need to get this pled to misdemeanor. We need to get it done. If not, this thing's going the wrong direction.

You're getting suspended. This is after talking to Goodell. Well, this is when I get tipped off before, but I'm like, so here we got it. He's like, so what do you think? I said, we got to fire the attorney.

We got to plead this thing out and we got to be done with it. And he says, okay. He says, where are you going? I said, I'm getting back in the fucking cab and going back.

through Chicago, back home, taking the cab. I'm at Marshawn's 15.. I don't even think I come in the house. 15 minutes. I get back.

As I land, I get a voice from Marshawn says, got it. Let's get it done. So we fired the attorney, got the thing pled down to misdemeanor. Okay. Got it over with, and hence where you came in the relationship.

And then I called you and I say, Gavin, I don't know Goodell that well at the time, but Marshawn is up for a possible suspension. And he's a great kid.

This guy's a great kid. He's not this guy. And what did you do? You called Goodell. I called him just, and I said, this is, I'm not asking you for anything.

I'm just telling you, this is a great kid. I don't care what you've read. I basically repeated not everything you said, but what I had experienced the first few times I met with him. And then you vouched for him. So I vouched for you on behalf of Marshawn.

And I remember Goodell, I'll never forget that. call. He, first of all, he appreciated the call. It wasn't influential in that respect. And I wasn't in a position to be quote, unquote, influential, but it was, it was a character validation that was way out of the norm.

And he's hearing from some guy like me going, how does, what's the relationship there? And I remember you could. I don't want to speak for Roger, but it triggered something of, you know, curiosity. How does this?

I just wanted the attorney. I didn't say a word. Okay. It's these two.

But, but, but we had to get, we had to get him out of it. And if we didn't, who knows what direction went, but it all turned out and look where we're at today. And there was some other hiccups in row two along that line, and we got him out of Buffalo eventually, but that was big on your part, Gavin. So I appreciate that. And that showed.

I remember his shit like yesterday, man, uh, pull up. And I just remember Josh, like, you know, what is crazy, because at the time Marcus was, uh, he was a participant in the camp. He was, he was Marcus. Yeah. He was a participant in the camp.

And I mean, now he, uh, you know, vice president for the, uh, for the, uh, foundation. But, yeah, I mean, I know, we all sitting on the thing like, man, who the fuck is this coming up? Like president, type shit. And then Batman jump out, you feel me? And I'm like, oh shit, this motherfucker, really, he really answered the call.

Like, all right, cool. So then, when you come out and then you just came and you know, we walking around the track, just politicking and shit. And I just remember, um, when I go back on the field, you know, I hear, you know, some of the, um, uh, uh, the coaches was like, bro, motherfucker, that's Gavin Newt. Like how you get him to come? I'm like, bro, I have no idea.

But the impact that it made on them for them to be able to see you out there and the way that they responded. Yeah. I mean, like your, you know, your political status is what it is, but I'm like, you know what? Fuck all that. Like Gavin really just popped out to the hood.

You feel me, though? And, and, and, and, and really came and just was functioning like on some, on some solid shit. Like not, you know what I mean? Worried about all the, I guess, backlash or whatever the fuck will have happened, for, you know, somebody of your stature to come out to, you know what I mean? Come to the hood, and really just, you know what I mean?

Kick it. That shit was like, damn, like I'm fucked with bruh. So then, you know, when it come down to it, like, you know, we got some events going on in the city, Marshawn, we need y'all to come out. And then, I mean, for us, because of what we were doing in the community, you know, to be at those events, you know what I mean? It kind of opened our eyes to a lot of shit that we didn't know, you know what I mean?

Was, was happening, that was possible for us to do. And then, I mean, you know, we was taking the shit of what we seen, how y'all was rocking and managing shit. And we would take it back to Oakland and implement it in our foundation. And it's like, you know what I mean? At the end of the day, now you look up and, you know what I mean?

We in year 18.. It's like, damn.

And, and, and you're, I mean, and here you are, this next level rocks. I mean, these, every one of these kids want to be Marshawn Lynch one day. And just that deep pride, that sense of community and a completely different relationship with the community. It's not intellectual. And you start to feel that at a deeper level, a human level.

And it definitely grounded me in the work I was doing at the time. I had just become mayor of San Francisco. So I'm across the Bay and I know no BS started spending more time in Bayview hunters, point in the, in the projects at West point, middle point, I did something called March gladness instead of March madness, which is a basketball tournament, three on three, uh, with folks up there, uh, in the projects, all of that, just in relationship to develop, in a deeper relationship with you and Doug and the community and a connection that was not again about politics. And I think one of the cool things about this podcast is it's not about politics. And I, I know we we've framed it as politicking.

and, uh, and Marshawn, it's interesting. I imagine people are curious how we even came up about it in the context of what you do every single day. Right.

Yeah. I mean, to politic what it's like, like, damn, you know, I'm, I'm not looking at it as a political move for you, because I'm pretty sure it's absolutely like, well, why are you out there in Oakland, over there doing some, you know, they'll find somebody going to find a way to say like, what you doing over in, in, in they city and not in ours type of shit. But the fact that, you know what I mean? I don't, I don't think maybe you did, but for me, it was like you coming to Oakland, like you. don't get no political gain from over there.

You just coming over here to function with your, you know what I mean? Function with your dude. Like, what's up with the gab? You good? Hey, Batman, bro.

You really just popped out of the Batmobile and came to the hood. Like, man, what's up? Like, Hey man, this is my mama. Hey, this is my cousin. Hey, look, man.

Oh man, look, bro. This, this, this right here and that's auntie right there. You know, we call uncle, auntie, individuals who, you know, maybe on drugs or something, but yeah. And while you was there, you feel me? Did nobody feel like, you know, you was looking down at them or feeling uncomfortable.

Now you probably had about a million secret services around there, making sure everything was all good. But yeah, I mean, the fact that you was comfortable over there, like, I mean, I look at that type of shit. You feel what I'm saying? Now, you know how people, you know, judge you based off of, you know, um, you know, your, your, your stuff they see on TV, dad, like, yep. You feel me?

Like status, I was looking at you, as, you know what I mean? As a, as a, as a, uh, as a person, like, man, let me see what, what dog really talk about, and damn shit. You know, from there, then you invite a motherfucker to your house and hella shit. And I'm like, damn, I'm like, Oh, dog, real though.

Put people good in your corner and have those relationships. And at the end of the day, you know, it's about finding the right people. Right. And I, and, and, and I found the right people. You know, Gavin has been my partner for, and, and brother for 25 years.

You have been, as it's about knowing who you're with, know what they're all about and whatnot. You know what I'm saying? But you're right. People give him shit, like, you know, uh, this and that, but you know,

Anyone looking down at you wasn't looking past you. Um, and, and I mean, it is, I mean, it's again, back relationship, but judgment, that's, it's like original sin men to assume, you know, more than you do about someone else. Uh, and, and I think that's kind of the journey we've been all on is a little humility and grace and appreciation and respect for one another, uh, without the judgment, uh, without all that stigma, without all the BS. Uh, so, in every respect, this is very likely, not unlikely, that we're doing this podcast. Uh, but for others, they may judge this as a strange, uh, circumstance, but we need a little bit more of this, a little more grace, a little humility in the world where people are so quick to dismiss people, or, as you say, talk past people are down to people.

Um, and, uh, and now listen, and I, I think the whole purpose of this damn podcast is to get out of that. Cause right now it's just, everyone feels it's a zero sum game. It's scarcity. I got to get mine and take off, as opposed to a framework of abundance, uh, where we're finding, you know, ways to live together and advance together across differences. So anyway, um, I, I, I love this, but the origin story is interesting.

Uh, but man, what's more interesting of the damn, this journey we've been on together over the course of the last few years and some?

We were young. We were young. Gavin and I are in New York and you guys playing the Broncos and it's Superbowl one, the whole deal. And you guys come off in a great season, kind of storybook ride to get in the playoffs. I think all three games in a row to get there and we're having a great week and, and we're having fun doing our thing and whatnot.

I think we went to Howard Stern, uh, party one night and did a bunch of things, but I'll never forget. It's 30 degrees. You guys went and we didn't, they didn't win. It was a rout. It was over in the first few minutes.

Let me ask you a question. Let's establish some facts. So we get down to the. so we wait in there for Marshawn, the last set of locker room. What does he tell me?

who the hell are we to?

That's a fact. You can talk your way into any damn place on planet earth, any place on planet earth. That place was impenetrable. It's a super bowl. And it was kind of a post.

It's in New York, post nine 11, super bowl. They had locked the place down. You're like, we got to go down to see my son. I'm like, Doug, that ain't happening. Not a chance in hell.

So now we'll get down there. What's the first thing? fucking more. Sean says to me? I will never forget.

He doesn't look at any of us. He beelines to you, headphones on the whole thing. Yeah. Your backpack on. And you were like, you, this is the Jerry Maguire moment.

Show me the money. So I'm like, what the hell? And he, I thought it was a joke. And, Marshawn, it wasn't a joke. He was like physically getting in your face and you're kind of smiling.

Like, and you're looking at me like, this is not a, like. I had to back away. I'm like, oh man, like Marshawn, you were coming hot. You just won the super bowl, man. Man.

That's my dog.

And I'm like, I'm like,

He couldn't fly back with the team. You know what I got? You walked away.

You have a great time. No deal. And as we get into your next season, remember this Seahawks team is like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. I mean, it's electric, right? I mean, we're at these games, the city, the energy and the vibe of Seattle is crazy.

That's a different place. So they go, has never been there, live. So they go on, they go on and they go on an eight game winning streak. Okay. And this town's going nuts.

I mean, it is fucking crazy. And I got to be honest with you, Gavin, when I look at the state, some of the best times in my life was those seven, eight games a year. I mean,

Damn. Damn. So.

And so now they go in the playoffs. Okay. And they go in the playoffs, they win the first game. It's a lock. And now we've got the Packers.

Okay. Yeah. And the Packers game is true to this day. The best game I've ever witnessed in my entire life. That game.

Unbelievable game. You.

I mean,

And then we'll make it even better. is, on the other side of that is my, uh, uh, my college, uh, quarterback, A-Rod. So yeah, I mean, it just made it even, uh, more better. So, and the, the, the ending to that was, yeah, was a trip, but see, something interesting about that was, I think I had, uh, I had got in trouble for doing the whole, my dick, the, from the, wasn't that? Yeah.

So they was telling me, if you jump in the end zone and, and grab your dick again, we going to find you. And I'm like, man, what the fuck? And then, the next week after that, you see the, you see him selling pictures, uh, to pose with me. I said, Oh, ain't this about a bitch. So now remember, tell me, don't do it.

I don't want to.

Like literally, I mean, what'd you? just, you dive back where, I mean, were you.

Marshawn's got a little party going on and I, I, it seemed, this was like seeing Mike was yesterday. What do you mean? Right after the game, we go to his house. He's got people over the whole deal. By the way, did you run up to?

He's like, we got to talk. He said, Hey man, I need my money. Here we go again. And I'm like,

it. We got to go and talk to Mark. I did. And you too. And I'll never forget.

I had him go. I had.

I leave your house. I go to John's house. Now John's a GM with a Seahawks, John, John Schneider, who we all know and love. So Josh Snyder is a GM. He's having a party.

He's having a good time. He's had a few drinks in him. He's a mid Wisconsin. They're going back to the Superbowl. So I go to John's house and we're sitting there having a great time.

And, and about three in the morning, he puts his arm around me and say, Doug, how good is this man? How fucking good is this moment? I said, well, it's really good, John. But I do got to talk. He's like, what's up?

Everything okay? I said, well, yeah, but we, we got to work on more. Sean's deal. He's like, wait a minute.

You're here at three in the morning and you want, you asking for a new fucking contract tonight? I said, yeah, I am, John. I go, he deserves it. He's back there. We got to talk about this.

He's like, you want me to go to Paul Allen before the Superbowl and ask for a new contract? I said, I said, yeah, I do, John. I do.

Good friends, great friends, at three in the morning. And the crazy part about it was we both had way too much to drink. Okay. My phone dies. I can't get an Uber.

John can't drive. So John says, fuck you, but sleep on my couch. Throws me like a blanket. So here I am sleeping on John Schneider's couch, after I yelled at him about a new contract from Marshawn, who, in John's the best time of his life. This is about to go back.

And I sleep on the freaking couch.

Rest in peace, big dog, but that motherfucker. He personally had your back. Yeah.

And I'm like, well, shit. All right. All right. I'm going to sit next to him at the dinner. And when I sat down with him and we was chopping it up and I'm like, what the fuck they talking about?

He weird as shit. He sound hella cool to me. And then, you know, it's me, Joe Montana, and a couple of my teammates. And I'm like, hey, you know what? Have a shot with me.

You don't drink like that, sweet. All right. I'll do it like what we drinking. Like, oh, don't worry about it. It's going to be good.

So I got around a Patrennessy for everybody. So you feel me? We, cheers. Threw them, motherfuckers, back. Like, what was that?

I'm like, Patrennessy. Like, what the fuck is Patron? Patron Hennessy mix. He like, oh my God, what the fuck. you just had me drinking?

He played his guitar and hella shit. But I mean, you know, it turned out to be a good ass night. And then, you know, everybody at work in the organization was like, hey, you know what, man? Like, I've never seen him in this type of, I mean, environment, and, you know, move the way that he did. And then, I mean, you know, from there, shit just, you know, elevated as far as, you know, our relationship.

Motherfuckers started helping me. Like, you know, I was looking for some real estate out in Seattle to, you know, do my store. And then, if I had some investments and shit, like, I would send it over to him and, you know, he would give me like a yay or nay on it type shit. And, you know, I mean, we just started, you know, communicating on a level of like, you know, I'm gonna say that, you know, owners don't really communicate with their, yeah, with their players and shit. He was all, it was incredible.

Yeah, but, you know, I mean, he really took the time and the effort to, like, you, feel me, to actually holla at me. And then it got to a point where, you know, after we had lost the Super Bowl, like, I mean, he called me and was like, I need you to be in Seattle. And I'm like, when? He's like, tomorrow. And I'm like, shit, everything cool?

He's like, yeah, I just want to talk to you. He's like, shit, all right, well, cool. You know, I'll be up there. He's like, I'm over in the Philippines, in the fucking ocean, looking for a Japanese fighter ship.

I don't know how the fuck he got from the Philippines back to Seattle in the time for the meeting. But when I showed up, shit, he was right there. I called Doug like, hey, bro, this motherfucker told me you want me to meet him in Seattle at like two o'clock or something. Like, you know what's going on, Doug? Like, shit, I don't know.

But when we got there, we had a very interesting conversation. But then it just made me think like, um, like, oh, you really fuck with me on a different level. Like, this shit is like, you know, this all my pay grade. Like, this ain't my type of time. But I mean, if so, I mean, I could try and figure some shit out.

But like, yeah, I want you to. And I'm like, all right, well, shit, we gonna rock like that. But I don't know if it sparked from, you know, the conversation that you and Snyder had. You're passing out on the jam couch.

By the way, that whole week.

Marshawn got home that night. Yeah, we'll get into all that. And then we'll explain exactly why Paul was trying to.

On Politicking.