San Francisco Chronicle

Store party rumor is merely that

- By Juan Reyes Juan Reyes is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jreyes@sfchronicl­e.com

Dozens of Raiders fans showed up at Marshawn Lynch’s Beast Mode Apparel store in Oakland on Thursday for a homecoming block party.

Only problem: There was no party.

A sign on the door of the store on Broadway between Eighth and Ninth streets made it clear that those who dropped by had been misled: “Sorry you were misinforme­d, there is No Block party today! Thank you..”

TMZ Sports erroneousl­y reported that a party had been scheduled for Thursday to welcome the Oakland native and fivetime Pro Bowl running back to the Raiders and that Bay Area rapper E-40, actor Michael B. Jordan and Raiders quarterbac­k Derek Carr would attend.

Jerry Law of Oakland showed up wearing a black Beast Mode hat and carrying a bottle of Grey Goose vodka. He said he spent his last $2 to ride BART to the store with the hope of hanging out with Lynch — who was traded to the Raiders from Seattle on Wednesday.

Law was disappoint­ed after seeing the sign, but nonetheles­s waited outside the store for an hour to see if the situation would change.

“I kind of laughed because it just shows you the power of social media,” he said.

Despite Thursday’s no-show, Law said he’s excited that the Oakland Tech and Cal alum will play this fall for the Raiders.

“It is like a breath of fresh air for the city,” Law said. “You got people coming out, they’re wearing their Raider (gear). Coming to welcome Marshawn with open arms. We’re like, ‘Welcome home, son.’ ”

 ?? Photos by Juan Reyes / The Chronicle ?? Fans gather at Marshawn Lynch's Beast Mode Apparel store in Oakland after rumors began circulatin­g of the Raiders’ new running back hosting a block party. It turned out that the chatter was wrong.
Photos by Juan Reyes / The Chronicle Fans gather at Marshawn Lynch's Beast Mode Apparel store in Oakland after rumors began circulatin­g of the Raiders’ new running back hosting a block party. It turned out that the chatter was wrong.
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