Marshawn Lynch ties for second most 'badass' player in NFL in informal poll

FILE – Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch participates in the team's organized team activity in Alameda in this file photo from Tuesday, June 6, 2017. He tied for second most badass players in the NFL in an informal poll of football writers. less FILE – Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch participates in the team's organized team activity in Alameda in this file photo from Tuesday, June 6, 2017. He tied for second most badass players in the ... more Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Marshawn Lynch ties for second most 'badass' player in NFL in informal poll 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Maybe it's the crushing hits that earned him the nickname Beast Mode. Maybe it's his ongoing love-hate relationship with the press. Or maybe it's just his Oakland upbringing shining through.

Whatever it is, Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch tied for the second most badass player in the NFL in an informal poll of NFL writers performed by the Tampa Bay Times' writer Greg Auman.

Forty-three writers were polled and Lynch tied with Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt for second baddest player in the league, each getting ten votes in the poll.

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison took the top spot in the poll, known for feats of might such as his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 2009 Super Bowl and intense workout regimen. Recently, the 39-year-old posted a video to his Instagram of him pushing 1,800 pounds during an offseason workout.

"Forget a dark alley; I wouldn't want to meet him at church," said Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle about Harrison in Auman's article.

The writers also voted on NFL team's in the poll. The New England Patriots were the top choice in that poll with 29 votes, with the Seattle Seahawks coming in second with 27 votes. The Raiders were the fourth most badass team according to the poll, getting one less vote than the third place Steelers.

Lynch's former teammate Kam Chancellor, the Seahawks' safety, finished just behind Lynch and Watt in the poll. His current teammate, the Raiders' linebacker Khalil Mack, was also on the list, tying for eighth place with the Patriots' tight end Rob Gronkowski. Others who received votes, but not enough to make the top ten, were the Seahawks' Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas.