Former NFL player Ricardo Lockette was arrested earlier this week in Atlanta, according to booking records obtained. Lockette, who was born in Georgia and played college football at Fort Valley State University, faces multiple charges including possession of a gun or knife during the commission of or attempt to commit a felony, possession of a vehicle with an altered VIN, and theft by receiving stolen property.
Lockette, who went undrafted in 2011, signed with the Seattle Seahawks and also had brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears' practice squads before returning to the Seahawks in 2013. He retired from football in 2016 after a serious neck injury and was a member of the 2013 Seahawks team that won the franchise's first-ever Super Bowl title.
According to court documents, Georgia State Patrol troopers were conducting surveillance when Lockette was seen leaving the area in a vehicle with a suspicious tag. Troopers, along with Atlanta Police officers, conducted a traffic stop and discovered that the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX Lockette was driving was reported stolen in March 2023.
Lockette claimed he bought the truck on a social media marketplace, but authorities found discrepancies in the information he provided. The vehicle identification number displayed on the truck was fraudulent, and Lockette was also found to be driving with a suspended license and in possession of a handgun.
In a separate incident, Lockette was investigated in 2014 for possible sexual misconduct during his time with the 49ers, but no charges were filed against him.
