Injury to Seahawks wide receiver had us fearing the worst
Follow
By DERON SNYDER
We have seen horrific crashes claim lives in auto racing. We have seen brutal beatings claim lives in boxing. We have seen terrible accidents claim lives in action sports.
One day, we might see a violent collision that claims a life in the NFL.
But if we’re lucky, we’ll just see players who “only” are left paralyzed.
Death and maiming are distinct possibilities in some sports, including football. For several minutes during Sunday’s Cowboys-Seahawks game, we wondered if we witnessed a fatality – all the while praying it was just an injury.
Seattle wideout Ricardo Lockette dropped to the ground like a rag doll and was motionless after Dallas safety Jeff Heath delivered a devastating block during a kickoff return. We would’ve felt so much better if Lockette rolled around in pain or arose and staggered toward the sideline.
Or moved, period.
Instead, he lay lifeless while a bevy of medical staffers attended to him for what seemed like forever. Through the crowd of folks kneeling over him, we focused on his arms and legs, looking for the slightest flex or twitch. We wanted a sign that he was alive and his body still worked (in that order).
Lockette finally obliged, opening his eyes and speaking. He raised his fists while being carted off the field, pointing to fans as they applauded. Taken to a local hospital, he displayed full movement in all extremities.
“I know a lot of guys were really hurting for him, because we didn’t know what was going on,” Seattle wideout Doug Baldwin told reporters after the game. “But we’re thankful he’s OK.”
“OK” is relative. Lockette suffered a sore neck and concussion that could lead to who-knows-what. But that’s better than the fears that invaded our head while he was down and out (unconscious) after the hit.
Read more…
