Ricardo Lockette hopes to make Pro Bowl

ALBANY — The legend of Ricardo Lockette continues to grow.

The former Monroe High School and Fort Valley State standout achieved his dream of making it to the NFL in 2011, signing with the Seattle Seahawks. After a few detours, he’d eventually make the Seahawks’ 53-man roster.

Lockette went from an undrafted free agent struggling to make the practice squad to catching a 19-yard pass in Super Bowl XLVIII, which the Seahawks won in an emphatic fashion. While he’s already reached several impressive milestones in his young career, he may have the chance to reach one more — becoming an NFL Pro Bowler.

It was announced earlier this month that he was a Pro Bowl nominee. The voting process is three parts. One-third of his votes would come from fans, one-third from players and the final third coaches.

Lockette told The Seattle Times, “I don’t know how many undrafted guys have made it to the Pro Bowl, but I’d love to be one of them.”

He added that he would fine missing the game if something more important were to come up.

“Our number one goal is the Super Bowl, our number one goal right now is upcoming games,” he said. “So all of that (the Pro Bowl) is in the back of my head.”

His father, Earl Lockette, is as proud as any parent can be right now.

“We always said he would do great things,” he said. “And he’s doing just that. He made a list on September 2012, I believe it was, on how he wanted to make it on the practice squad and he wanted to make what they call the 53-man roster and he wanted to make it to the Super Bowl, then he wanted to make the Pro Bowl.”

He said Ricardo being nominated is a true testament to his work ethic as well has his faith in God. Lockette believe that his son is now reaping the benefits of all his hard work.

“This has been a great experience for him and of course for us as his family and support group,” he said. “His belief in God and belief in himself has been his strength. He really is a sincere, grounded, down to earth young man. He really just stayed his course and just kept his faith.”

Lockette’s name was on the ballet as a special teams player instead of the more glamorous wide receiver. Earl Lockette said his son’s really worked to not only propel his career at that position, but to make it a valuable one as well.

This season, he has nine receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns.

Ballots are closed and selections will be announced Tuesday night on the NFL Network and NFL.com.