Marshawn took the role of Mr. G, a clueless but supportive ally teacher, in the 2023 queer teen sex comedy film “Bottoms,” as a gesture for his real-life lesbian sister, Marreesha Sapp-Lynch.
Marshawn Lynch, the former NFL star running back nicknamed “Beast Mode,” has transitioned into acting following his third and final retirement from the sport in 2019.
He has appeared in multiple TV shows and movies, including guest appearances as himself in “The League” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” and more notable roles in “Westworld,” “Who Killed Santa? A Murderville Murder Mystery,” and “80 for Brady.”
However, his most memorable performance comes from Emma Seligman‘s 2023 queer teen sex comedy “Bottoms,” where he plays Mr. G, a clueless teacher who oversees the feminist after-school fight club started by the main characters, PJ and Josie, played by Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri.
Although the idea of the burly 5’11, 215 lbs running back playing in a raunchy teen movie seemed strange at first, Lynch’s reason for taking up the role is heartfelt and personal.
Just like the movie’s lead characters, Marshawn’s real-life sister, Marreesha Sapp-Lynch, is a lesbian.
BOTTOMS received three nominations at Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA)
— best of rachel sennott (@sennottfiles) December 13, 2023
• Best Screenplay (Rachel Sennott and Emma Seligman)
• Breakout of the Year (Marshawn Lynch)
• Best Stunt pic.twitter.com/bl0Nd4DMEs
Marreesha came out during her high school years.
In an interview with People magazine, she recalled feeling easy about confessing her sexuality to her mother, Delisa, who always had her suspicions, but her brothers David, Marshawn, and Davonte were not so understanding.
While Marshawn tried to be supportive, he had his reservations.
Marreesha quoted,
Marshawn had a lot of questions and was thinking it was his fault: ‘What did I do?’ Because growing up he would always say I couldn’t have a boyfriend, ‘You can’t talk to boys.’ We’d go to a party and he’d be asking everybody, ‘Did you dance with my sister?’ But I wasn’t attracted to boys, so I didn’t dance with them!
PEOPLE
However, Marshawn has grown more accepting of her lifestyle over the years.
He helped plan her 2021 wedding to Brandee Sapp and walked her down the aisle.
Marreesha quoted,
I asked him to walk me down the aisle because our dad passed away. He cried the whole time. He doesn’t cry — or I don’t see him cry. The fact that he did cry and shed some tears, it meant a lot to me.
PEOPLE
After being offered the role of Mr. G, Marshawn consulted Marreesha about whether he should take it up.
Marshawn read the script to her and told her that she had come to mind.
Marreesha said to him,
Most definitely you should do it. It’ll get you to understand, get more knowledge about the lesbian community.
PEOPLE
The film’s director and co-writer, Emma Seligman, admitted to People magazine that she did not initially think Marshawn would take the role.
She quoted,
It was such a random movie for him to be in that I was so shocked that he even was considering it.
PEOPLE
Seligman added,
“In his words, he said he wasn’t amazing about it when Marreesha came out in high school and that he felt like this was the universe giving him a chance to right his wrongs. He made it seem like that was really what was interesting him the most about it.
PEOPLE
During the shoot in New Orleans, Marshawn reportedly kept bringing up his sister like a proud brother.
When Marreesha and her wife visited the set, he shouted, “That’s my sister!”
As with any queer person, growing up in a heteronormative environment was challenging for Marreesha.
She admitted that had a movie like “Bottoms,” which is full of gay characters, come out during her high school days, she would’ve felt easier and felt better about being herself.
Seligman, who is also openly queer, said,
I didn’t understand my sexuality in high school, so I actually think it might’ve freaked me out. It would’ve excited me. Maybe it would’ve jumpstarted some things!
PEOPLE
About the motive behind the film, Seligman said,
Just having queer characters in something so silly and that’s not serious feels subversive.  I don’t think we’re trying to prove anything political or have some sort of deeper message or meaning out of the movie. Other than ‘Gay people can be funny, sexy and horny, and that’s normal.’ Sometimes just normalizing something is enough.
PEOPLE
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Lynch’s nickname, “Beast Mode,” comes from his powerful and aggressive running style. The term became widely popular after his incredible 67-yard touchdown run against the New Orleans Saints in the 2010-11 NFL playoffs.
- Beyond football and acting, Lynch has been involved in various business ventures. He co-owns the Seattle Kraken of the NHL and the Bay Area Panthers of the Indoor Football League. He also has his own lifestyle brand, Beast Mode, which sells apparel and accessories.
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