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As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, plenty of NFL players have opted out of playing in the 2020 campaign. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett was almost in that group.
“I definitely had a lot of hesitation,” said Lockett, according to Joe Fann of NBC Sports Northwest.
Lockett's asthmatic cousin contracted a nasty case of COVID-19, and a bulk of the wide out's family members on his dad's side of the family have asthma, as well.
“That’s why it made me question if I wanted to come play,” Lockett said. “I have a lot of stuff in my family to where I don’t want to put anybody in jeopardy.”
However, once Lockett looked around and saw what was going on around him, he decided to give it a go:
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“I know that we’ve got Pete (Carroll) and a lot of older coaches who don’t want to put themselves in a situation to get sick, either,” Lockett said. “I told myself, if they can do it, I know I can do it. If I’m going to come out here and play, I’m going to do what needs to be done.”
The Seahawks are certainly thankful that Lockett has elected to play.
Lockett is coming off of a 2019 campaign in which he played every game and hauled in 82 receptions for 1,057 yards and eight touchdowns.
While he doesn't get the recognition of a Julio Jones or a DeAndre Hopkins, Lockett has quietly developed into one of the NFL's most consistent receivers.
The 27-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Kansas State, was originally selected by Seattle in the third round (69th pick overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.
