Steve Largent: Hall of Fame Seattle Seahawks Legend

Steve Largent transformed from an undersized fourth-round pick into one of the most prolific wide receivers in NFL history, setting records and securing his permanent place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Football Bio

September 28, 1954 – Steve Largent, a 5’-11″ 187 187-pound wideout from Tulsa University, was born.

Steve wasn’t the biggest or fastest receiver in the country, but he could have had the most heart and determination of them all. The Houston Oilers picked Largent in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft with the 177th overall pick.

According to his bio on the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s website, Largent played in all four Oilers preseason games before the team traded him to the expansion Seattle Seahawks for an eighth-round pick.

Largent would make the Oilers regret that deal for giving up on him so quickly. The new Seattle receiver would have a stellar 14-year career with the Seahawks and, upon retirement, hold NFL records such as the most receptions (819), the most consecutive games with a reception (177), the most 1,000-yard receiving seasons (8), and the most seasons with 50 or more receptions (10).

When Largent retired, he led the NFL in every major receiving category: most career receptions (819), most career receiving yards (13,089), and most career touchdown receptions (100).

He also set a record with a streak of 177 consecutive regular-season games with at least one catch. Furthermore, he was the first receiver in NFL history to reach 100 career touchdown receptions, a record he held until 1992 when Jerry Rice surpassed it.

The player Houston deemed too small to play in the NFL would become a three-time All-Pro and an entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the 1995 induction ceremony.

Largent went into public service just before his Hall of Fame induction. Voters in Oklahoma chose Steve for the House of Representatives.

Following a memorable election win, Largent was sworn into office on November 29, 1994. He was subsequently re-elected to the following three Congresses, consistently winning with overwhelming support—never receiving less than 60 percent of the vote in his heavily Republican, Tulsa-based district.

Steve Largent overcame early doubts to build a legendary NFL career, leaving a lasting legacy in Seattle before dedicating himself to a successful tenure in public service.

Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• Member of the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team.
• Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.
• Selected to 7 Pro Bowls (1978, 1979, 1981, 1984–1987).
• Named First-team All-Pro 3 times (1983, 1985, 1987).
• Led the NFL in receiving yards twice (1979, 1985).
• Retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (819), receiving yards (13,089), and receiving touchdowns (100).
• Won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 1988.
• Drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 4th round (117th overall, corrected from the provided text) of the 1976 NFL Draft.

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