City of Albany honors Super Bowl champ Ricardo Lockette

ALBANY — It started with Ricardo Lockette walking into the room at the Albany Civic Center, hands raised, greeting the crowd with, “Hey everybody.”

Next came the announcement of the first official “Ricardo Lockette Day.” Dozens of people — including family, friends, community leaders and a host of well-wishers — were in attendance Saturday to honor the 27-year-old Monroe grad, who cemented a spot in Albany lore as a member of this year’s Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks team.

The ceremony featured several tributes that recognized Lockette, who starred on special teams and was a backup receiver for the Seahawks, for his accomplishments on the field and his maturation into an upstanding individual off the field. The keynote came when Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard and Jeff Sinyard, chairman of the Dougherty County Commission, read a proclamation marking the day as one saluting Lockette.

“It is always an honor for our city to have a young man go out and represent us on a national stage,” Hubbard said. “It’s an honor for me to be a part of this celebration to welcome him home and let him know how proud we are of him. He is so humble, and I love people who understand that God put you here for a reason.”

After a poem was read in tribute to Lockette, a few dignitaries — including State Senator Freddie Powell Sims — reflected on the life of the Fort Valley State alum. Pastor Lawrence Knighton of the St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Baconton served as a youth leader for Lockette growing up and said that while talent, skill and ability got Lockette to a point of achievement, character and integrity are keeping him there.

The reflections were followed by soloist Arniciesha Price, who sang “Hero” while a photo slideshow was shown. Unable to hold back the emotion, Lockette was brought to tears by the moment.

“Sometimes you get so caught up in your work that you don’t notice people’s appreciation until you step away, so when the video was playing and I saw all the pictures from where I started it all hit me,” Lockette said of the moment.

Willie Earl Lockette, Ricardo’s grandfather and Dougherty County chief superior court judge, gave a few words of encouragement, imploring his grandson to not forget his blessings.

Finally, the man of the hour was presented to speak as those on hand rose in adulation. After giving thanks to everyone who played a role in his success, Lockette offered his definition of the word.

“Success to me isn’t defined by winning a Super Bowl; for me it’s about helping people around you even if you cannot connect with them physically,” he said. “I don’t feel like a champion because (winning a title) is not where my satisfaction is coming from. My goal in life is to see others grow and be successful.”

Still demonstrating his humility, the speedy wideout added that he is no superstar and echoed the words of his grandfather that he is still at the foot of the mountain. While the day was dedicated to him, Lockette, who finished the 2013 season with six catches for 101 yards and several bone-crushing hits on punt coverage, said he wants the day to be about more than No. 83, calling it the start of something great.

“I want this to be a day that stands for something like nonviolence in Albany or positive thinking or a day when everyone does three good deeds for a random person,” Lockette explained. “My life has changed totally but I’m still the same person, and I just want to make everyone else around me better.”

He closed with a simple “I’m yours,” acknowledging his availability to those who continued to support him during the highs and lows of pursuing a career as a professional football player.

“When I first heard of the tribute to Ricardo all I could say to myself was ‘Oh my God. (He is) awesome,’” Ricardo’s mother Felita Lockette said. “To hear him speak (Saturday) is confirmation that he’s been listening. We don’t have to worry about him because he has his head on right, he’s focused and he’s taken everything he’s learned and applied it to life.

Known primarily as a special teams player, Lockette said he is working hard to attain his goal of hearing his name announced as a starting receiver one day. Until then he can take pride in hearing the city of Albany call his name every March 22.