Injured wide receiver Ricardo Lockette helped 91-year-old Congressional Gold Medal honoree Clayton Pitre, a 91-year-old who was a corporal in the United States Marine Corps in World War II, raise the team’s “12” flag just before kickoff Sunday.
It was the Seahawks’ annual “Salute to Service” game.
Lockette underwent surgery in Dallas Nov. 2 to fix disc and ligament damage in his neck the day after a scary hit by Cowboys safety Jeff Heath. The 29-year-old Lockette’s ability to play beyond this season remains unknown. Sunday he was wearing under a coat a T-shirt with a depiction of his glove handed flashing an “L,” which is what he did as he was carried off the field on a stretcher Nov. 1.
Lockette appeared in the locker room following Sunday’s loss 39-32 loss to Arizona. He called the pregame ovation he received one of the best moments of his life.
Asked if he expects to play next season, Lockette responded: “I expect to be a Pro Bowler.”
Pitre entered the military at a segregated facility at Camp Montford Point in North Carolina. He delivered ammunition during the Battle of Okinawa from April 1 through June 22, 1945, the last major fight in the Pacific theater of World War II. The native of Louisiana eventually relocated to Washington state and graduated from Seattle University in 1968.
The team says Pitre was the seventh veteran in seven Novembers to raise the flag.
Fuming about the refs
The Seahawks’ defense thought it had a second turnover of the first half when safety Earl Thomas picked up a loose ball after what appeared to be a catch and run by Arizona’s Darren Fells. Officials instead ruled an incomplete pass, a ruling the replay booth upheld after a long delay.
It was the latest example of few knowing exactly what is and is not a catch in the NFL today.
After that reprieve, Arizona increased its lead to 22-7 on Chandler Cantanzaro’s 43-yard field goal as the half ended.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll jogged across both hash marks to confront referee Clete Blakeman immediately after the half ended.
Asked what he thought of Sunday night’s officiating, Carroll said: “I can’t say anything about that. Sorry. We’re not allowed to.”
Seahawks cornerback Cary Williams said “we didn’t get the dialogue we normally get” from the game officials. No warnings that they would call the game tightly, or that players were being too grabby — or explanations of much of anything.”
The flags just kept flying. Seattle’s 14 penalties tied for its most since Pete Carroll became coach in 2010. The Seahawks had 14 flags against Green Bay in September 2012.
Victims of Paris attacks remembered
A remembrance for the victims of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris was a big part of the pregame ceremonies Sunday at CenturyLink Field.
The Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals both carried flags of France as they ran onto the field before the game, with defensive end Cliff Avril carrying the French tri-colour for Seattle. A member of the U.S. military ran beside him, carrying the U.S. flag.
Before the national anthem, the stadium observed a moment of silence for the victims. During the anthem, and in addition to the U.S. flag, members of the military on the field held banners in the colors of the French flag.
Wideout Richardson returns
Seattle wide receiver Paul Richardson saw action for the first time since suffering a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament in a Jan. 10 playoff game against Carolina.
Richardson made his first catch late in the second quarter and it was a big one, a 40-yard reception up the left sideline to set up a Seahawks touchdown. But he left the game late in the half with a hamstring injury and did not return.
Irvin injures knee
Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin went to the locker room in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. He did not return to the game.
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