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This year's installment in the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise, Black Ops III, will feature the likeness of NFL star Marshawn Lynch of the Seattle Seahawks, it was announced today.

The news comes by way of ESPN The Magazine, which, for the first time, is running a competitive gaming edition called "The eSports Issue" this month. It will feature a story called "The Whole Game is Beast Mode" written by Sam Alipour about how Lynch got involved with the game.

You can read that story right here. In it, we learn Lynch plays the role of a mercenary.

"Marshawn Lynch is the perfect match for Call of Duty," Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg said. "I mean, he's a guy who fills stadiums, crushes competitors, and has a Beast Mode. What could be more CoD than that?"

Although celebrities have lent their voices and likenesses to Call of Duty games before, Lynch will become the first athlete to appear in the franchise.

We followed up with Activision for more details and were told a further announcement regarding Lynch's involvement with Black Ops III will be made soon.

ESPN The Magazine's gaming edition will also contain a feature about YouTube gaming star PewDiePie, a profile of South Korean gaming prodigy "Faker," and a story about why one woman refuses to abandon video games in the wake of increased harassment.

Also featured in the issue are accounts from NBA star Kevin Durant and the NFL's Patrick Peterson about why they love video games so much.

Black Ops III launches on November 6 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.