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Marshawn Lynch Questions Why NFL Teams Play White Defensive Backs
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- Marshawn Lynch Questions Why NFL Teams Play White Defensive Backs
Cooper DeJean was one of the NFL's best defensive backs last season.
The 23-year-old defensive back, who was a unanimous All-American at Iowa, was a first-team All-Pro with the Eagles in 2025. DeJean, who is white, has also been a Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.
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And while white defensive backs are somewhat of an extreme rarity in the NFL - at least, they used to be - former running back great Marshawn Lynch is questioning why we're seeing more and more of them in today's game.
GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 12: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Raiders 20-10. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Lynch took in a Seattle Seahawks training camp practice this week. At the practice at Lumen Field, Lynch approached Julian Love and asked the following:
"Why y'all keep on getting all these White DBs?" Lynch asked Love. "What y'all gonna do with them, fam? What y'all gonna do with all them White DBs?"
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The Seahawks currently have two white defensive backs on the roster.
Seattle has Ty Okada , who started 11 games last season and is trending toward keeping that starting strong safety job this coming season. Maxen Hook , who is trying to earn a roster spot during training camp, is also on the roster.
Lynch continues to be confused.
"How many of y'all is it?" Lynch asked Okada.
"What?" Okada asked as if Lynch, not understanding the question.
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"White DBs," Lynch said.
"More and more," Okada responded.
"What the [expletive] is going on?" Lynch said. "What the [expletive] is going on?"
Lynch then had more questions.
"So tell me how this works in your head, you know what I mean?" Lynch presses Okada. "White people ain't known for their dancing..."
Okada then showed off some dancing form for Lynch and impressed the former Seahawks great.
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"Oh, yeah, there you go," Lynch exclaimed. "Hey, you know what? I apologize for coming over here ... Now I got it understood. Respect, my boy."
The Seahawks, the defending Super Bowl champions, are set to open the season on Sept. 9 against the Patriots .
This story was originally published by The Spun on Aug 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
