Seattle Seahawks Ex Russell Wilson Talks Ricardo Lockette Injury as Buffalo Bills Damar Hamlin Recovers
The emotional and scary scenes during Monday night’s game at Paycor Stadium between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals shocked the sports world, including former Seattle Seahawks quarterback and current Denver Bronco Russell Wilson.
And while the on-field cardiac arrest of Bills safety Damar Hamlin — who has shown remarkable recovery in recent days — is unlike almost anything the league has ever seen before, the serious and often frightening injuries are unfortunately a part of violent sports, although they will never be easier to swallow.
Wilson played in the game that featured one of the league’s scariest injury incidents in recent memory, an unfortunate event that was mentioned Wednesday as he addressed his thoughts on Hamlin’s situation to the media.
In a 13-12 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in November 2015, Seahawks receiver Ricardo Lockette lay motionless on the field after taking a minor hit during a special teams play. His upper body was stabilized as he cartwheeled away.
The team later announced that he had suffered a ligament injury in his neck. Lockette would never play another game in the NFL after he announced his retirement in May 2016.
“He was one of my favorite players to play with,” Wilson said. “It was a comeback with points and this was his last game.”
Lockette recovered, but in the end his career was cut short all because of one game. Recalling the memories of that scary injury helped Wilson put Hamlin’s circumstances into perspective.
“You see Damar’s situation and you never know,” Wilson said. “And that’s why every time you step on this field … you have to enjoy it.”
Lockette and Wilson won a ring together after the Seahawks defeated the Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. He was Wilson’s intended goal-line receiver in the final seconds of the next year’s Super Bowl, which ended in a heartbreaking loss for Seattle to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Lockette’s 2015 season was supposed to be a revenge tour after Pats cornerback Malcom Butler came up on him for the Super Bowl-sealing interception. Instead, his career ended before he got another chance to help Seattle make the postseason.
It’s in scary moments like what happened Monday that help put things into perspective for Wilson and the rest of the NFL.
Fortunately, Hamlin has now “won the game of life” and is serving as a league of inspiration around the world as the postseason begins.
The Seahawks (8-8) and Rams (5-11) kick off at 1:25 PM PT on Sunday.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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