Golden Nuggets: Marshawn Lynch Puts the DMC in Run-DMC

February 18th's edition of ESPN Magazine is the Music Issue. A couple prominent, Tedford-era superstars play big roles in the magazine. Marshawn Lynch teamed up with Trent Richardson and LaMarr Woodley to recreate the cover of Run DMC's "Ultimate Run DMC." Beast Mode does a pretty good Darryl McDaniels impression.

There's also a behind-the-scenes video.

ESPN asked Lynch a variety of questions about music. Marshawn became a little hesitant when talking about the name of his favorite Run-DMC song.

What's your favorite Run-DMC song?

Lynch: I don't think I'm allowed to say what my favorite song is. I don't think any of us are allowed to say it. We're restricted from saying it. We have a deal with Nike. Nah, man: "My Adidas."

Beast Mode went on to talk about the role of music during his pregame routine as well as a song he inspired.

What role does music play for you in sports?

Lynch: It plays a huge part. I listen to my music until the very last minute. I mean I'm walking out to the field with my headphones on before a game and I just leave them right by the door right before we're going out.

I have the luxury of getting to know an artist who has been out there putting together some songs for me that I got to play at the stadium. His name is Mistah F.A.B. So I mean the majority of the guys I listen to, mainstream people wouldn't know too much about that usually.

Doesn't Mistah F.A.B. have a song called "Marshawn Lynch"?

Lynch: It's actually a pretty good song, not just because it's about me. He got some lyrics on there that are pretty good.

What's your favorite lyric from the song?

Lynch: I can't say it.

Yes you can.

Lynch: [Yells] BEASTMODE, B----!

No one's interviews are more fun than Marshawn Lynch's.

Football

• Marshawn wasn't the only Bear in the issue. DeSean Jackson talked about his side projects in music.
• Jon Wilner wonders why so many Pac-12 teams insist on running a 4-3 defense, as top-tier DTs are rare commodities.
• Rivals gives the Bears' 2013 recruiting class a B-.
• Three members of the team with switch positions this spring: Jeffrey Coprich, who played RB in high school, will move from DB to RB, OLB Brennan Scarlett will move to DE, and Joel Willis will move from DB to WR. Andy Buh says other may LBs may transition to the defensive line.

Basketball

• The women's team remains atop the Pac-12 standings with a 66-53 win over ASU.
• Coach Gottlieb was pleased that the team already reached the 20-win mark. She credits their success with the team's identity and ability to control the game.

Rugby

• Despite beating Cal's reserves late last season, Cal Poly was bludgeoned 112-7 by the Bears. Cal's reserves then avenged last season's loss with a 122-0 victory. Next Saturday the Bears face a worthy foe, the UBC Thunderbirds in the first leg of their World Cup series.

Softball

• The third-ranked Bears opened the season unexpectedly: with two losses in their first three games. They opened the season with a 2-3 loss to Kentucky, defeated Cal State Northridge 7-4, then lost 4-7 to Florida.

Track and Field

• Collin Jarvis set the Cal record with a 5k time of 13:56.36.

Tennis

• The 7th-ranked Bears defeated no. 16 Michigan at the opener of the ITA National Women's Team Indoor Championship.
• The men's team was swept by no. 2 USC.

Water Polo

• The no. 5 Bears topped no. 10 Princeton 7-5.

Swimming and Diving

• Cal's men's team advanced to 6-0 with a 175.5-120.5 win over USC.