Nike Drops Marshawn Lynch Revenge Speech After Seahawks Win

Legendary running back recites a timely message after Seattle's Super Bowl victory over New England.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Moments after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XL, Nike dropped a commercial featuring former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch reciting a revenge-themed speech. The speech references the Seahawks' heartbreaking Super Bowl XLIX loss to the Patriots, where a last-minute interception on the goal line denied them a go-ahead score.

Why it matters

The commercial and Lynch's speech tap into the long-standing rivalry between the Seahawks and Patriots, as well as the redemption narrative for Seattle after their previous Super Bowl defeat. It also highlights Lynch's iconic status as a hard-nosed, no-nonsense player who resonates with fans.

The details

In the Nike commercial, Lynch is shown simply sipping coffee while delivering a gritty, defiant message about the "acquired taste" of bitterness and the satisfaction of "getting your lick back." The speech references the Seahawks' crushing 2015 Super Bowl loss to the Patriots, where a last-second interception on the goal line denied them a go-ahead score and the championship.

  • The commercial was released immediately after the Seahawks defeated the Patriots in Super Bowl XL in 2026.
  • The Seahawks' previous Super Bowl meeting with the Patriots was in Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, where they lost 28-24 on the goal-line interception.

The players

Marshawn Lynch

A legendary running back who spent the majority of his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, helping them win Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014. He is known for his hard-nosed running style and iconic "Beast Mode" persona.

Seattle Seahawks

An NFL franchise based in Seattle, Washington that has been one of the league's most successful teams over the past decade, winning Super Bowl XLVIII and making multiple playoff appearances.

New England Patriots

One of the NFL's most dominant franchises over the past two decades, winning six Super Bowls and making numerous playoff appearances under the leadership of quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick.

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What they’re saying

“I ain't even gonna hold you—bitter really is an acquired taste. That's how you know it's not for everybody. But the real ones know where that flavor is. When you get to the bottom of that mug, when ain't nothing left but that grit, that's where you really appreciate that grind, because nothing tastes as good as getting your lick back. Tastes good, don't it?”

— Marshawn Lynch, Former NFL running back (Nike commercial)

What’s next

The Seahawks and Patriots are expected to continue their rivalry in the coming years, with both teams projected to be contenders for the Super Bowl in the near future.

The takeaway

Marshawn Lynch's revenge-themed speech in the Nike commercial perfectly captures the Seahawks' redemption narrative after their heartbreaking Super Bowl XLIX loss to the Patriots. It highlights Lynch's iconic status and the long-standing rivalry between the two franchises, demonstrating how sports can provide a platform for powerful emotional narratives.