Ex-NFL star Marshawn Lynch sets sail for virtual high seas, leaving football life behind

Lynch won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks

LAS VEGAS – Marshawn Lynch took his talents to the virtual high seas Wednesday, and the Super Bowl champion running back appeared to have officially put the famous part of his life behind him.

As NFL fans and reporters walked through the Luxor to the Mandalay Bay, Lynch was in between the two Las Vegas casinos at Beast Mode Apparel. 

Fox News Digital found Lynch sporting familiar black and silver gear he wore toward the end of his career. He was locked in and trying to take down opponents in a long-awaited edition of the video game "Skull & Bones."

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Marshawn Lynch and Josh Jacobs

Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders, left, talks with Marshawn Lynch prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers at Allegiant Stadium Oct. 9, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Ubisoft action-adventure game takes players to the Indian Ocean in a bid to become the most fearsome pirate known to the world. Lynch was smoking his virtual adversaries much like he did in real life with the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders.

Fans lined up outside to get a glimpse of the man they called "Beast Mode." But Lynch appeared to be more interested in the escape than rehashing his accomplishments on the field. 

"No I wouldn’t (say that) … they actually came and did some engagement with us," Lynch said sheepishly as dozens, maybe hundreds, of NFL fans walked by, took a picture and peered in trying to get a glimpse.

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Marshawn Lynch runs

Marshawn Lynch (24) runs toward the end zone during a preseason game between the Oakland Raiders and the Detroit Lions Aug. 10, 2018, at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Samuel Stringer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

While Lynch is seen as a gladiator to most NFL fans, he told Fox News Digital he uses video games as an escape.

"It frees the mind and gives you time to just relax," Lynch said. "Video games I play, I never played anything like this one before. This one captured my mind."

The former star running back said he got interested in pirates from watching the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. He said he wouldn’t dare set foot on any kind of ship. And the closest he got to doing so was when he walked onto the vessel at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

It was clear he was having fun too, shouting "motherf-----!" after taking out an enemy ship.

Marshawn Lynch vs Chargers

Marshawn Lynch before the Los Angeles Chargers play against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium Dec. 14, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The running back spent 12 seasons in the NFL. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, won a Super Bowl title with the Seahawks and was named to the All-2010s Hall of Fame team.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Ryan Gaydos via FoxNews February 7th 2024