Princeton Students Write Op-Ed After Marshawn Lynch Picked as Class Day Speaker

A group of students from Princeton's 2020 class penned an op-ed criticizing the school's decision to bring in Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch for its Class Day.

While the students expressed reservations with Lynch being the speaker, they wrote that their issue was with how Princeton came to its decision:

"It goes without saying that Lynch has had an incredibly impressive career as an NFL football player and as a social activist. [...] However, saying that Lynch has 'unapologetically embodied and advocated for our own identities and values' (as stated in the University's official Instagram post) without actually consulting us, the Princeton community, is paradoxical and thus questionable. We do not mean to criticize this choice of speaker in particular, but rather want to call attention to the opaque selection process for Class Day speakers."

The students added that they "feel that the set of criteria for nominees should be clearly defined and transparent to the graduating class," noting: "In the selection of Marshawn Lynch, however, it is not evident what the set of criteria for nomination are."

"A common thread seems to be that past speakers either share a connection with the graduation class as Princeton alumni or are widely regarded as exceptional communicators," they wrote.

Lynch has run for 10,413 yards and 85 touchdowns while reaching five Pro Bowls over his 12-year NFL career.

In addition to his impact on the field, the 33-year-old has been engaged in social activism. The Raiders named him as their nominee for the 2018 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for the work he did in the Oakland community.

During an appearance at the MLK Now event in January, Lynch discussed the difficulty black players in the NFL have in attaining front-office roles once their careers end (warning: video contains profanity):

Princeton's Class Day is scheduled for June 1.