Agent: Seahawks star Lynch to retire

SEATTLE>> age of Lynch leaping into the end zone backward as he did to cap a few great runs in his career. He was a spectator as much as anything, playing in just seven regular season games and one playoff game as injuries were finally a factor in his ability to play.

But as much credit as coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider deserve for what Seattle has become as a perennial power in the NFC, Lynch deserves his share for the demeanor he provided the Seahawks. The moment Lynch arrived, Seattle transformed from being finesse to power. He became the face of the franchise without mounting a campaign to do so. The violence and power with which he ran was Lynch’s platform.

Lynch will step aside after nine seasons in the league. Six of those came in Seattle, where he played in the postseason five times. He’s second all-time in Seattle history in rushing touchdowns and fourth in yards rushing. He tied for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns in 2013 and 2014 and is No. 8 all-time in total yards rushing dur- ing the postseason. He was an All-Pro, a Pro Bowl selection and perhaps the most revered Seahawks player in the opinion of their fans.

Along with what Lynch provided on the field came his peculiarities when he wasn’t carrying the ball. His contract disputes. His avoidance of the media. His memorable performances during two Super Bowl weeks that became as much of a topic as the game itself. And this season, ruling himself out of Seattle’s NFC wild- card game at Minnesota just minutes before the team left for the airport.

There was almost certainly going to be a separation between Lynch and the Seahawks after the 2015 season because of financial and evolutionary reasons. Seattle was always going to become Russell Wilson’s team moving forward — the nature of a quarterback with a long-term contract agreement — and Wilson’s performance this season showed the evolution was in process.

But Lynch’s final season should not diminish his meaning to what Seattle has become.

“He’s a guy that’s been

BRANDON WADE - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) breaks through a tackle-attempt by Dallas Cowboys’ Sean Lee (50) as Cowboys Byron Jones, left, comes over to help in the second half, in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 1, 2015. Lynch sent a tweet during the Super Bowl with a pair of cleats hanging from a power or telephone line, along with an emoji depicting a peace sign.