Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette will reportedly announce his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.
This is the latest from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, who tweeted out a report containing the news on Wednesday night. Rapoport wrote that “#Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette will announce his retirement tomorrow at a press conference, source said.”
Lockette missed the final eight games of the regular season, and all of the postseason, in 2015 after sustaining a severe neck injury in a game against the Dallas Cowboys.
The wideout’s career in the National Football League comes to a close after entering the league in 2011. The wide receiver, who was known for his outstanding speed, caught 22 passes on 33 targets for 451 yards. He also added four touchdowns. Lockette wasn’t the most used receiver, but he made big plays when it counted. His longest catches in each of his four seasons went for 61, 33, 48 and 40 yards respectively.
In addition, to be a solid receiver, the Grand Valley State product was also an excellent contributor on special teams, often serving as the team’s top-choice gunner. The 29-year-old made 12 combined tackles over the course of his career. He forced four fumbles as well. Lockette’s injury occurred on special teams as he was covering a punt against the Cowboys and was hit by safety Jeff Heath.
ESPN’s Ed Werder tweeted on Wednesday about the news, writing, “According to #Seahawks sources, WR Riccardo Lockette is unable to rotate his head following neck injury and no choice but to retire.”
Career stats and highlights
Lockette spent the majority of his career with the Seahawks, fighting his way onto the roster as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He made two catches that year, one that went for 61 yards, the other going for 44 yards.
The wide receiver then spent 2012 and part of 2013 split between the San Francisco 49ers and the Chicago Bears. He returned to the Seahawks during the 2013 season and stayed in the Pacific Northwest through last season.
For his career, Lockette has won three NFC Championships (two with the Seahawks, one with the 49ers) and one Super Bowl. He helped the Hawks trounce the Denver Broncos by a score of 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII.