Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette to retire

Neck injury forces Ricardo Lockette to retire from the Seahawks, and the NFL.

To no one’s surprise, but everyone’s regret, Seattle Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette is walking away from football.

Walk is the key word in that sentence.

A severe neck injury suffered on November 1st in Dallas left Lockette motionless on the turf for several minutes before he was carted off the field. Damage to neck ligaments required surgery. It’s been assumed that Lockette’s days of playing football were over, but today it was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport, and then Lockette himself seemed to confirm as much on Twitter.

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Lockette was signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent out of tiny Fort Valley State in 2011. He was released prior to the 2012 season, but after short stints in San Francisco and Chicago he returned to the Seahawks for good the following year. He made his mark on special teams, becoming known as one of the best gunners in the league.

Coverage hits like this one were the reason he was able to make his mark in the NFL.

Over the years, however, he began to develop more as a receiver, particularly as a deep threat. Over his five seasons, Lockette caught 22 passes for 451 yards and 4 touchdowns. This was one of his most impressive catches, and a personal favorite of mine as it happened right in front of my seats at the time.

Reaction to “The Rocket’s” impending retirement was swift and appreciative.

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The Seahawks will hold a 1:00pm PST press conference tomorrow to officially announce his retirement. Lockette is expected to be in attendance.