In September 2016, when I had the chance to spend a day with Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett as part of a Pepsi promotion, I started thinking just how much I bet folks underestimate him and how hard it is to remember that he’s a football player. Anyways, the other day I was driving home from the 710 ESPN Seattle studio, and I realized it’s been a while since I’ve heard from No-E, the nickname he has with the team to differentiate him from former teammate Ricardo Lockette. Being the safe driver that I am, I waited until I got home to call him.

“No-E, whatcha know good, my man?” He responds back with a quiet voice by saying, “What’s up, Gee? Yeah man, I’m watching TV with my mom, can I call you back?”

Gee: There’s a problem with youth sports, and I’m part of it

Inside I was cracking up. Of course he could call me back. I was just shocked at the tone and demeanor in which he said he was watching TV with his mom. In 14 years of being around the Seattle Seahawks, I don’t think I’ve heard a player ever say that. It was pretty cool, to be honest.

Here’s the conversation that took place later on that day:

Gee Scott: How’s the rehab from your broken leg going?



Tyler Lockett: It’s going really well. I’ve been here in Seattle the entire time, just doing everything they want me to do to get back out there on the field. I love it, though, cause it’s given me a chance to see what else Seattle has to offer. I’ve gone to local high school basketball games, I’ve checked out different restaurants all over, and getting on the ferry for the first time, too. Kasen Williams and I took the ferry over to Vashon Island. We drove around for like 2 1/2 hours and then got something to eat at a restaurant. Man, it’s nice over there.

GS: Take me back to that unfortunate injury. What’s going through your mind at the time you got hurt?

TL: The first thing I thought was that I knew I was done. I mean, I didn’t feel anything though. I was just laying there. I remember the ground being really comfortable. When they asked me what was up, I was like, “I can’t feel my leg.” There was no pain at all. Everything felt normal, but you know when your foot falls asleep? It felt like my leg was asleep.

GS: Did you bother to look at the injury or touch it?

TL: Nah, I never looked. If I did, I would have passed out – especially according to what people were saying about it. I’m so glad I didn’t look.

GS: What’s been the hardest part of this recovery process?

TL: My teammates are gone. The folks that I would hang out with have gone back home, or have gone to visit family. It’s tough not to be able to go back and see my friends and family back home in Tulsa, Okla. Folks ask me about the surgery, and the surgery wasn’t hard at all. I mean, I feel like the majority of the time when you get surgery on something, you’re 10 times stronger after. At least that’s how I feel. I feel my leg will be 10 times stronger.

GS: How’s your attitude been during this process?

TL: Oh, my attitude has been good. I haven’t been worried about it. Even though I got hurt, I know God is still in control. I’ve been hurt before, and I’ve bounced back and recovered each and every time. Right now is no different. I’m gonna come back stronger.

GS: Have your teammates and coaches been supportive?

TL: That’s been the best part. The entire organization has been supportive. Pete (Carroll) came and sat with me for 45 minutes, (head athletic trainer Donald Rich) came and sat with me for 45 minutes, and a lot of others that came up there to visit me. There’s still folks that still text me to check on me to see how I’m doing. This isn’t shocking, though. This is what our team is about. Sometimes you hear us talk about the brotherhood with this team. That remains regardless if the season is over or not. We care about each other. The support of the Seahawks organization, along with my family and friends, has really made this process not as hard as people might think.

GS: Do you think you will be ready by Week 1 of next season?

TL: Oh yeah, for sure I will. I can’t wait, either. That’s why I’m doing everything they tell me to do.

GS: I know what you’ve been doing lately outside the house, but I need to know what you’ve been doing inside the house since you have a little extra time now.

TL: Well, cooking is not my thing. Let’s see … I’ll watch some TV shows all day if I’m in the house, or I’ll play my little piano. Earlier when you called I was watching TV with my mom. She and I watch a lot of shows together. We watch “Scandal,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “The Haves and the Have Nots,” “Too Close to Home,” and “24: Legacy” just came out the other day. I got more, too. My mom and I will just sit there on some of these shows and try to figure what’s going on, or what’s gonna happen next.

GS: How are your wide receiver buddies?

TL: Well, let’s see. Doug (Baldwin) just got back from Houston. It was Jermaine’s (Kearse) birthday the other day. I don’t know what he did cause it was snowing. Like I said before, I was with Kasen (Williams) when we went on the ferry to Vashon.

GS: The city of Seattle, you like it so far?

TL: Oh yeah. Seattle is real cool. I must say, I was shocked when it snowed. That was crazy. I really like the people. People are really nice here.

It was so good to catch up with Tyler, and it felt good to hear how positive he is about his injury. Hey, if you’re like me, you were pretty shook up when that happened to him. Glad to hear he will be back next season. I know I won’t doubt him. Seems like every time I do, I lose. No, I didn’t think he’d be the receiver that he is. Oops! Here’s an example of my underestimating him.

Back in December 2016, I was part of the Tyler Lockett Comedy Roast. Well, the day of the roast, he calls me sounding nervous, wondering how the show would go. I’m thinking to myself, “Poor Tyler, he’s going to do bad on stage when it’s time for him to roast everyone back.” When it was his turn, though, oh, did he rock the house. He was really funny.

Here’s the part that wasn’t so funny, though. He says to the crowd, “OK, it’s time for me to get off stage now. Before I go, does anybody know if it’s going to rain the next couple of days?” A guy in the front row says “No” right away. Tyler then reaches in his pocket, grabs his keys, turns around and throws the keys to me. When I catch the keys he says, “OK, Gee, do what you do.” Burn! He basically told me to go clean his car.

Some of you laughed right away, but for those that didn’t, he’s taking a fun jab at how I used to clean cars for a living. I owe him for that one.

Appreciate you for reading. Love ya for that. Until next time.

– Gee Scott