Not a dirty hit at all. Talk is cheap. I wanted to make my family proud. All Rights Reserved. Jeff Heath "felt terrible" that Ricardo Lockette was injured on his hit [11] On September 1, 2013, Lockette was signed by the Chicago Bears to the practice squad. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at Jan 31, 2019, 2:16 PM | Updated: 2:30 pm, Ex-Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette retired after suffering a neck injury on the field in 2015. Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, not the running back, was deprived of a game-winning touchdown and Super Bowl heroism. Ricardo Lockette celebrates in the end zone after a circus catch at the end of a trick play that resulted in a Seahawks touchdown. Take a look back at his best photos in a Seattle uniform. I just wanted to be great, I wanted to be great at something. There, he spoke about how his life was saved by paramedics in Arlington, Texas. He has taken the injury in stride and built a pretty great life after football. Part of HuffPost News. I'm laying in bed with a full neck brace, just trying to stay still, and he's just being Marshawn talking to the nurses, making jokes, being crazy. This dude had me laughing so hard that he was putting my damn life in danger. Ricardo Quantaye Lockette was born on May 21, 1986, in Albany, Georgia, to Earl and Felita Lockette. The Seahawks also said Lockette has full motion and feeling in all extremities. American football is no slouch in the violence department either just look at what happened to Ricardo Lockette. Stay up to date with what you want to know. As a Seahawks fan, I know Ricardo Lockette has a reputation for getting into it with other players and playing a very emotional game just like Dez Bryant. I wanted to be great at something. Just depends on who youre a fan of. Ricardo Lockette Hands Out McDonald's Burgers To The Homeless Right Ricardo Lockette of Seattle Seahawks has ligament damage in neck, to A post shared by Ricardo Lockette (@ricardolockette) on Sep 20, 2020 at 3:29pm PDT, The Cowboys safety expressed his remorse over the hit when speaking with The Dallas Morning News, stating that it was never his intention to severely hurt Lockette. I need to repay the Lord for helping me get up. Seattle players even said that he didnt. It looked like Lockett lost his balance a bit after a light hit before he ran into Heath and that prevented him from being ready for the hit. He was released on September 3, and re-signed to the Seahawks' practice squad the following day. Recently, Lockette -- now retired from football -- met with paramedics at the Washington Fire Chiefs convention in Spokane, Washington. [13] He became a special teams player during his second stint with the Seattle Seahawks. That's when I knew it was bad. Ricardo Lockette of Seattle Seahawks retires - ESPN Sure in slow motion it looks bad, but in live play youre going out to hit someone. Ricardo Lockette is retiring from the NFL after four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. The game is too big and unrealistic. Welcome To Seattle Sweepstakes | Enter To Win! Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Every person that I meet, I'm bringing them up the mountain with me. Lockette recognizes that his status as a former player allows him to speak up where others cant to speak on behalf of current players who are concerned about long-term health but who are in a contract situation or fear that another player could take their job if theyre unable to play. Not a Cowboys, cut the guy some slack. Mariners outfielder Kyle Lewis hit his fifth home run in eight games in the big leagues on Wednesday. If I would have stood up then, the weight of my head, left right, front back, I would have died. What Lockette didn't know was that the paramedics who saved him were actually in the audience, having made the trek from Texas. Glad he is alright. Today, Lockette is using his experience to advance a comprehensive study at Harvard University the largest of its kind which aims to make the NFL safer for its players and minimize the long-term health risks associated with professional football. I hope someone hits you just the same way. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion is currently a player advisor for The Football Players Health Study at Harvard. Surgeons implanted titanium plates to help reconnect the skeletal structure. Ricardo Quantaye Lockette (born May 21, 1986) is a former professional American football wide receiver who played in parts of four seasons for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. [5] In 2010, for the Fort Valley State Wildcats football team, Lockette served as a wide receiver and a kickoff returner, and finished with 23 receptions for 262 yards and one touchdown. . Listen to Lockettes full interview with Bob, Groz and Tom here. Jerry should also reel off this guys name as an example of a team leader: he played and hit hard/legal, but also was hoping for the best for Lockette as a human/player. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Get well soon, E! Looking ahead, Lockette's main goal is to change people's lives for the better. "I love my family, and I'd rather walk," Lockette said at a news conference, surrounded by family members. "If the returner at the time would have broken a couple tackles and they would have fell on me on the field I would have died.". Ricardo Lockette to retire: Seattle Seahawks WR cites neck injury They're ridiculously savage, but these athletes still take the field, time again, to participate in these no-nonsense contests they absolutely love. I mean, I'm laying there in a neck brace, I can't move, I just cried my eyes out, and here's a guy who just wants to make me laugh and forget about the pain. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockettewill miss the rest of the season after a hit in Sunday's win over the Dallas Cowboysleft him motionless on the field. While other players gathered around Lockette as he was motionless on the field, Heath stayed on the sidelines as emotionsflared. According to Lockette, he "almost died" on the field that day. Thats something that the NFL tells the Refs to do (as far as I know). Dez Bryant on the other hand. Lockette may not quite be all right, but the fact he had movement in all his extremities was a good sign. He immediately showed concern and remained a class-act all the way. Cleveland Browns quarterback Josh McCown is day-to-day with a rib injury. In addition to the ligament damage, Lockette also suffered a concussion and disk injury. Enter for a chance to win an exclusive fly away trip to Los Angeles or an autographed Draft cap by our entire 2023 class! Ricardo Lockette celebrates his touchdown in front of fans in the north end zone. He recorded 22 catches, 451 yards and four touchdowns, and helped the team to win Super Bowl XLVIII. It was a clean hit! Seahawks' Lockette undergoes neck surgery after big hit Lockette saw him clearly, as you can see by his turning into him. The guy was just doing his job. Earlier this week, Lockette was reunited with two of the people that help saved his life. Seahawks running back Chris Carson is struggling with fumbles, and it's imperative he corrects the issue, says Jake Heaps. How you can compare that to Larry is ridiculous. Six months later, he announced his retirement. Like so many people along the way helped me. Ricardo Lockette celebrates with teammates after his big hit. He sustained neck ligament damage as a result of the tackle. 3:18 pm ET, NFL Draft superlatives: Best/worst class, ROY and more, Will Levis dropping to second round proves costly, Chiefs expected to re-sign Jerick McKinnon, Chiefs' Hunt believes Mahomes will always be underpaid, How Cowboys' VP sold team brass on drafting Mazi Smith, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, 2024 mock: Williams No. I don't know him that well, but from what I heard about him, from what I can tell about how he plays, he's going to be good at whatever he does. "The doctor told me that pretty much my skull, all the muscles, all the ligaments that connect my vertebrae and the cartilage between that so the cartilage is out, the ligaments torn. SEAHAWKS, SEAHAWKS LOGO, SPIRIT OF 12, WE ARE 12, BRING ON THE 12, LEGION OF BOOM, 12 and 12S are trademarks of the Seattle Seahawks. Copyright 2023 Distractify. It's scary to think about just what a fine line Lockette -- and any NFL player -- walks when it comes to the dangerous physical nature of the game they play. Watch a special tribute to 710 ESPN Seattle's The Groz featuring messages from members of the Seattle sports media to commemorate his 29 years as a daily host in the market. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: nfl | pageType: stories | Lockette was defenseless by rule and had but a split second to locate Heath and or brace himself for contact and all he was able to do was try and duck which actually made the hit worse but was still probably better than if he hadnt ducked. He sustained neck ligament damage as a result of the tackle. On December 14, 2011, Lockette was promoted to active 53-man Seattle Seahawks' roster.[9]. He's become an advocate for spinal cord injury research with the Seattle Science Foundation, is still in phenomenal shape, and is having a blast traveling the world. Seahawks Ex Russell Wilson Talks Ricardo Lockette Injury as Damar On the first day of November in 2015, Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette took a crushing hit against the Cowboys that nearly ended his life. A fifth-year player, Lockette, 29, was running with Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones on punt coverage when Cowboys safety Jeff Heath hit him. You could tell he was concerned immediately after, even though it really wasnt his fault. Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette released from hospital - Sports Illustrated as well as other partner offers and accept our, "If one of my teammates would have come over and pulled my arm, I would have died,", NOW WATCH: This is what Tom Brady eats to play pro football at 38 years old. Google Hines ward and you will see several his identical to this hit, and yet many people would say those hits were dirty. And while we wait to see if Lockettesever going to be able to play football again after the surgery, its also easy to wonder how well Heath will be able to in the future. Lockette then bounced to the 49ers and then the Chicago Bears before ultimately returning to the Seattle Seahawks where he won a Super Bowl in 2014 with the franchise, completing one key catch against the Denver Broncos. It's kind of just unfortunate, but I think he knows that wasn't my intention and it was kind of just a freak deal and that's the risk that we take when we play this game. Lockette said in May, sitting with his parents, Earl Sr. and Felita, his brother Earl Jr., and his girlfriend Jamaica Terry. Ricardo Lockette has played his last down in the NFL. ricardo lockette injury - YouTube Hopkins shuts down trade rumors: 'Who said' that? Denver Broncos rookie left tackleTy Sambrailo will be placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, head coach Gary Kubiak said Monday afternoon, after a shoulder injury suffered Sept. 27 against the Detroit Lions failed to heal. A collection of Seahawks.com stories, videos and other coverage of the 10 newest members of the Seattle Seahawks. Theyre protecting their teammate, just like any guys would, Heath said of Seattle players. Injured Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette to raise 12th Man flag After career-threatening injury, Lockette wants to return to football After suffering a season-ending neck injury, Seattle. "It's not a sad day for me," Lockette said in May, sitting with his parents, Earl Sr. and Felita, his brother Earl Jr., and his girlfriend Jamaica Terry. Lockette suffered a serious neck injury in Seattle's 13-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 1. Ricardo Lockette (@RicardoLockette) November 2, 2015. Its either a penalty or its not a penalty. These officials cannot constitute what is a catch or a clean hit nowadays. My personal irony of being a football fan: I love the big hits where guys blow each other up. Seahawks' Ricardo Lockette retires after neck injury play Werder: Lockette's retirement was a forced decision (0:44) Ed Werder explains why Ricardo Lockette's neck injury is forcing. [6], Lockette tied for the third-fastest 40-yard dash (4.37 seconds) at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. Lockette also talked about whether or not ever considered a return to the field, and his relationship with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Karma. And Im hoping that the NFL does NOT fine Jeff Heath. Unfortunate for Lockette and hope he makes a speedy recovery. I couldn't talk. The player cannot say no or he will be cut. Lockette was running full speed and getting free of a block, not sure he had much control or could see the block coming. And hopefully I've done that. Bowles added quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is day to day and will need thumb surgery at some point. You want to hurt the other guy. A native of Albany, Georgia, Lockette played in 34 games over five NFL seasons for Seattle. Seattle WR Ricardo Lockette Opens Up About Scary Neck Injury [VIDEO] How Marshawn Lynch helped teammate after career-ending injury Hawks fan here, it was a good hard football play with an unfortunate outcome. I couldn't hear my teammates. From the moment the kid was lying on the ground unconscious everyone was a human being and football meant nothing. Bills sign the Broncos' leading rusher from 2022. He was ultimately cut from the roster despite some key plays at clutch moments for the squad. Rost: Who are the Seahawks potential free agency departures? Lockette suffered a life-threatening neck injury during a game last November at Dallas last November. Quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder) was also considered day to day. Like I said, Im glad hes doing all right.. What makes me laugh however is you can find at least a dozen hits similar to this from other players, and certain fans would call it dirty. Cowboys Safety Jeff Heath Says He Didn't Mean To Hurt Ricardo Lockette I saw Larry Fitzgeralds touchdown catch in a different game, and going down he looked more injured than Lockette. Lockette was. ", Out here spending only fans money like my A/C broke #Rockette #4pf, A post shared by Ricardo Lockette (@ricardolockette) on Aug 12, 2020 at 11:54am PDT. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette underwent surgery to stabilize his neck after being hospitalized for a concussion. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at On Nov. 5, Lockette reportedly left the hospital after undergoing surgery. Like the EMTs helped me. The wide receiver collided with Cowboys safety Jeff Heath during punt coverage and then.
