Ricardo Lockette Retires: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette will retire after suffering a season-ending neck injury that required surgery last November. 

Lockette hinted at retirement in an Instagram post Wednesday that featured the caption, "Bitter, sweet #Rockette for the 12th Man who created the Monster":

According to ESPN's Ed Werder, Lockette isn't able to rotate his head following the neck injury he suffered last season and had "no choice but to retire."

On Thursday, Lockette told reporters the decision wasn't a hard one, "because I love my family and I'd rather walk." He added his ability to play sports with his kids, or lift heavy items is likely gone due to the surgery. 

The wide receiver told teammates, "You’re my brothers. We all we got.” He also jokingly apologized to wide receivers coach Dave Canales, saying "Sorry all the times I was late, coach. Won't happen again."

Lockette added he wants to help needy children now that he's retired, and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told reporters the team hasn't discussed offering him a job. 

"As he showed you again today, he is a unique and extraordinary kid," Carroll told reporters. "He has an extraordinary heart."

Lockette's 2015 season came to an abrupt end on Nov. 1, when Dallas Cowboys special teamer Jeff Heath collided with the Seahawks wideout on a punt return. Lockette was then immobilized and placed on a stretcher before he was transported to the hospital.

On Thursday, Lockette said he told Heath, "You are a warrior. Keep doing what you do," per Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News-Tribune.

"He really got pounded, and it affected him in a lot of ways, so he had to get through that in the first three or four minutes, which he did," Carroll said at the time on 710 ESPN Seattle (via Tony Drovetto of the team's official website). "He’s an amazing kid, too. We just love the guy. He’s such a wonderful guy on our team."

On Nov. 2, Lockette underwent successful surgery to stabilize ligament damage in his neck. The team subsequently placed him on injured reserve 12 days later. 

Season	Games	Rec.	Rec. Yds	TD
2011	2	2	105	1
2012	0	----	----	----
2013	8	5	82	0
2014	16	11	195	2
2015	8	4	69	1

An undrafted free agent out of Fort Valley State, Lockette rose through the ranks and played five NFL seasons. Following a brief stint with the Seahawks in 2011, Lockette latched on with the San Francisco 49ers for the 2012 season and 2013 training camp prior to being released. 

Seattle then signed Lockette onto its active roster on Oct. 30, 2013, following a short stay on the team's practice squad. 

All told, Lockette tallied 22 catches for 451 yards and four touchdowns in addition to serving as a key special teams contributor. The 6'2'' pass-catcher also captured a Super Bowl title with the Seahawks when they trounced the Denver Broncos, 43-8, in February 2014. 

The following season, Lockette posted three catches for 59 yards in a Super Bowl 49 defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots.