Seahawks' Tyler Lockett dedicates playground in Seattle
SEATTLE - Tyler Lockett slid down the purple slide Tuesday with a huge smile on his face.
The 5-foot-11 Seahawks wide receiver stood out like a sore thumb as dozens of kids played around him.
The sky blue playground, with not one but two purple slides, is the newest addition to White Center Heights Elementary in Seattle.
Lockett, along with UnitedHealthcare, unveiled the new age-appropriate, size appropriate playground Tuesday morning.
"For me, as a pro athlete, it's important for me to stay in shape. It's important for me to stay active and go out there and run," Lockett told hundreds of kids Tuesday.
Eleven percent of the children in Washington are considered obese, according to the CDC.
The nearly 30 children who take part in the Head Start program at the elementary school have been without a playground since the inception of the program.
A $15,000 grant from UnitedHealthcare to Lockett's Dreambuilders program helped fund the playground and equipment.
"We want to help people live healthier lives and part of that is helping kids learn how to be active and giving them a place to do so," said Claire Verity, UnitedHealthcare CEO of the Pacific Northwest.
Lockett, who will turn 25 on Thursday, helped with the ribbon-cutting ceremony and played catch with students.
The Dreambuilders Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with pro athletes across the country to help financially, physically and mentally-challenged kids receive the items, opportunities and equipment they need to reach their dreams.
Lockett and the Seahawks will play Sunday evening, hosting Indianapolis at CenturyLink field.
