Curley: Ricardo Lockette’s injury a reason to consider ‘concussion clause’

The hit that left Seahawks wide receiver Ricardo Lockette motionless near the 50-yard line of AT&T Stadium is an example of why KIRO Radio’s John Curley believes the NFL should offer players a buyout.

It’s a violent game, Curley says. Players who receive significant injuries shouldn’t be forced to continue playing in order to pay the bills.

The NFL has tried to make an unsafe sport safe, KIRO Radio’s Tom Tangney says. However, making it completely safe isn’t in the cards.

“I’ve never seen someone collapse as quickly as Ricardo Lockette,” Tom said.

Lockette was sprinting down field to cover a punt when he was hit by Cowboys safety Jeff Heath. Heath was penalized for a blind-side block that left the Seahawks wide receiver temporary unable to speak. Lockette was scheduled for surgery to stabilize his neck on Monday.

It’s why Curley says the NFL should offer severely injured players an alternative to returning to the game, based on an injury scale.

John Curley: As Ricardo Lockette is sitting in the hospital room… NFL goes to Lockette and says we have determined on a scale of one to five, you have received a hit of a five. We will write you a check for $4 million and you can take the check now and get out of football. Or, you can sign this piece of paper that says you don’t want the buyout, but you can’t sue us down the line.

Curley says the NFL could call it the “concussion clause.”

JC: It’s not heartless. I think this is more fair than having him go back out on the field and continue to risk his life.

Tom says there could have been multiple players concussed during that game. How does the NFL determine who gets a buyout? Just look at Lockette lying there on the field. That’s how they determine who gets a buyout, Curley explains.

How much would be enough? Tom wonders.

JC: You gotta give them enough of a reason to get out (at least a few million).