Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette suffered a scary neck injury against the Dallas Cowboys last November.
After lying motionless on the turf for several minutes, Lockette was strapped onto a gurney and carted off the field.
It was such a scary incident that players on both teams took time to understand the gravity of the situation:
It was one of those moments that football itself takes a back seat.
Despite receiving a solid long-term prognosis and after regaining movement in his extremities, the receiver has decided to call it quits:
#Seahawks WR Ricardo Lockette will announce his retirement tomorrow at a press conference, source said. He suffered a serious neck injury
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 11, 2016
While Lockette initially showed optimism that he would be able to return after undergoing successful surgery, he doesn’t appear willing to risk the possibility of taking the field following such a scary situation.
Lockette, 29, was an un-drafted free agent of the San Francisco 49ers back in 2011. He then made his way to Seattle the following season, finding himself playing an important role on both offense and special teams.
Remember, the ill-fated Russell Wilson pass that was intercepted by Patriots corner Malcolm Butler to seal Super Bowl XLIX in New England’s favor? Well, that pass was intended for Lockette.
As it is, no one can really blame the receiver for this decision. It comes mere months after doctors told him he could have died on the field. When it comes to something of this ilk, football itself has to take a backseat.