Hitting the ground running as a rookie in the NFL is no easy task. Throw in a trip to Brazil and a matchup with the defending AFC champions, and it feels almost impossible. Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton is expected to lead the team's rushing attack this season after being selected in the first round of April's draft.
Hampton struggled at times in the first half of the Chargers' opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. But legendary running back Marshawn Lynch was quick to dish out some advice while the rookie sat on the sideline. If Hampton can use that advice to become anywhere close to the player Lynch was, fans will be thrilled.
Marshawn Lynch seen giving Omarion Hampton advice on Chargers sideline
If there's one thing fans know about Jim Harbaugh's Chargers, it's that they're going to run the football whether it's working or not. The offensive line was struggling to open up holes for Hampton, but he still acted as a workhorse back in the opener. The North Carolina product carried the ball nine times for just 36 yards in the first half, with very little luck outside of one 11-yard scamper. Still, LA fed him the ball.
One of the rookie's worst moments came when he ran out of bounds on the Chargers' last drive of the first half. LA had a chance to run the clock all the way down and kick a field goal, but Hampton's mistake left the Chiefs with enough time to score three points of their own. What would have been a ten-point halftime lead was suddenly trimmed to seven.
But Hampton had an NFL legend in his corner. Marshawn Lynch was seen speaking to him on the sideline, seemingly giving advice to the young Chargers star.
Marshawn Lynch (now a photographer) on the sideline giving some advice to Chargers RB Omarion Hampton. You love to see it. pic.twitter.com/71XnJXT2uW
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) September 6, 2025
Lynch was one of the many stars who turned up for the game in Rio. It's unclear what he was saying to Hampton, but his words of wisdom were certainly appreciated by the young running back. With over a decade of NFL experience under his belt and a Super Bowl ring to his name, Lynch is one of the best mentors a young player could ask for.
Mental mistakes will surely diminish with time for Hampton. There's no need for fans to panic after one lapse of judgment. The rookie still looks like a future star, especially if he has a legend like Lynch in his corner.