Michael Bennett's Top Comments from Super Bowl Media Day

The Seattle Seahawks' eclectic mix of outspoken personalities comprises a key component of their unique makeup. It comes as little surprise that one of their articulate stars, defensive end Michael Bennett, made headlines during Super Bowl XLIX media day on Tuesday.

Bennett provided his perspective on an array of subjects in advance of Sunday's championship clash with the New England Patriots, not the least of which was a sweeping soliloquy regarding his facial hair.

Pro Football on ESPN recorded Bennett's thoughts and exotic rationale for growing the ubiquitous professional sports playoff beard:

As for the stylish cowboy hat, Bennett had a twofold, ultimately heartfelt explanation for that as well, via FoxSportsArizona.com's Jack Magruder:

The standout pass-rusher famously rode a bicycle around CenturyLink Field following the Seahawks' overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game.

Bennett alluded to other areas of industrial entertainment and pop-culture consciousness in describing Seattle's prospective success against two sensational quarterbacks in as many Super Bowls, via Around The NFL:

The Everett Herald's John Boyle logged another couple of dandies from Bennett regarding his aesthetic appearance and where Seattle's defense will line up in NFL lore:

Even after signing a new four-year contract prior to this season, Bennett hinted that the cost of Super Bowl XLIX tickets for his whole family are still quite steep, via Yahoo Sports' Eric Edholm:

Sam Ponder of ESPN and NFL.com's Dan Hanzus expressed similar sentiment in weighing in on Bennett's way with words:

The freedom to express themselves has fostered an environment in which many Seattle players have been groomed to shine. A former undrafted free agent in 2009, Bennett is among the many members of the reigning Lombardi Trophy holders who came to the NFL with little to no clout.

Bennett's display in front of the press is a zeitgeist for what the Seahawks' culture represents. Honesty, transparency and originality, albeit unconventional in nature and unsettling to some, has given media members plenty of holdover fodder for five days while not detracting from the exceptional matchup Super Bowl XLIX promises to deliver.

The attention Bennett and other Seahawks bring through their extroverted way with the media is something they embrace, even if others don't, as Bennett stated on Tuesday, via The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish:

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People hate us because, you know, when you talk a lot of smack, people usually hate you. But when you talk a lot of smack and you back it up, they hate you even more. I think that's what it is. People hate (Richard) Sherman because he says he's the best corner, and he plays like the best corner. So, it's just like one of those things where people just hate us because of who we are, but we embrace it. I like it. I like when people hate us, because our stocks go up, our jerseys are higher selling. It's pretty cool.

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There is a meta-modern sophistication to Bennett's conduct on media day, something he hinted at in addressing a question about the annual event.

"I don't think much of it," said Bennett of Super Bowl media day, via Divish. "I think it's just, it's fun, I guess, to see everybody get in here and see how big a business the NFL is. You just enjoy the theatrics – people crazy, people asking crazy questions that don't pertain to football, but it's all fun and games."

Even though the Super Bowl is such a major sporting event, Bennett and other Seahawks are enjoying the limelight while supplying the fun that can be had to this component of professional football. Sharp wit and tension-deflating humor are a welcome alternative to antiquated, deadpan cliches.

The humanizing, lighthearted dynamic Bennett and other innovative orators before him have brought to media day's massive platform grounds the Super Bowl spectacle and its frenzy in a more mundane, accessible context.

Bennett didn't disappoint in this year's edition to play his part in making Super Bowl media day another memorable success.