Maybe Marshawn Lynch Just Wanted to Tip the Busboy

Because there has to be more to this story.  There just has to be.

So, it seems oft-trouble Bills running back Marshawn Lynch is in trouble with the law again.  But this story has a funny stench to it–not funny like smoking weed in a car with your buddies with an unregistered handgun nearby.

Lynch is accused of stealing $20 off a woman at a local TGI Friday’s.  Turns out the woman is married to a cop.  Oops.  The alleged incident occurred this past December, but according to the husband, Sgt. William Crawford, the couple delayed giving a statement to police until Wednesday.

Their reason?  The Crawfords wanted to wait until the Buffalo Bills football season was over, and Lynch was safely out of town.

Here is, according to the Sgt. Crawford, what went down…

“He takes the $20 out of her hand, and my wife says “What are you doing?’ and Lynch says “Don’t worry.’ When my wife’s girlfriend came back to the table, she told her about it. The girlfriend approached Lynch and said, “Give my friend her money back,’ and Lynch threatened her saying “Do you know who I am? There’s going to be consequences.  At that point, my wife and her girlfriend left,” Crawford said.

OK, so why did Lynch, a multimillionaire, take the woman’s money.  Power trip?  Bad joke?  He wanted to tip the busboy?  And what’s with the supposed threat.  “There’s going to be consequences?”  What did he mean by that–was he going to hit her with his car, then take off.

Unfortunately for Lynch, his past history makes him guilty before being proven innocent.  You know, the hit and run from 2008, the misdemeanor gun possession, the fact that he’s on probation for said gun possession charge.

Another strange twist to this saga, is the fact that 10 days after the Crawfords filed the complaint, a letter containing $20 was sent to the couple.  From the Hamburg police.

Lynch and his attorney have yet to comment on the situation.  Wise move.  Or not.  Because the pair may have to speak up and downplay the comments made by Marshawn’s loquacious and candid agent, Doug Hendrickson.

In an email to ProFootballTalk, Hendrickson had a few choice things to say about Sgt. William Crawford–and none of them good.

“Based upon information we’ve received, these allegations against Marshawn are false and entirely malicious,” said Hendrickson.

Lynch’s agent also went on to call the claim “slanderous,” and that Crawford is a “racist rogue cop.”  Well done Hendrickson, you dick, way to play the race card.  You should know by now you never play the race card this early in an investigation.

“This guy is very dangerous and the citizens of Buffalo should be scared that this guy is on the force,” Hendrickson said.

Wow.  I mean, sure, “Racist Rogue Cop” could be a cool Harvey Keitel vehicle, but for Doug Hendrickson to blast Sgt. Crawford like that does his client no favors.  No favors at all.

Right now we’re not going to take sides until all the details make themselves known.  However, if Lynch is guilty of stealing the woman’s $20, and being one of the world’s great douchebags, then he should probably pack his bags and start looking for another gig.  Which will be a wee bit more difficult, thanks to his race card playing agent.

Hey, there’s always the Raiders. [The Buffalo News, ProFootballTalk]