Steve Largent’s NFL career began with uncertainty, and he ultimately became the first Seahawks player to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, he was one of the most prolific and dominant pass-catchers in Seahawks franchise history.

After coming out of the University of Tulsa in 1976, he was selected in fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, but only played in the preseason with Houston and was not expected to make the team, The Seahawks traded an eighth-round pick to the Oilers in what would prove to be one of best transactions in team annals. Largent made the 1976 Seahawks roster and went on to spend all of his 14 NFL seasons with Seattle.

Largent became widely respected for overcoming doubts about his size and speed, and continually carved up defenses with his superb techniques, artful route running, and underrated quickness and athleticism. In 1977, he caught 10 touchdown passes, and in 1978, Largent became the first Seahawk to be named to the Pro Bowl. He led the AFC in receptions in 1978 with 71 and posted his first 1,000-yard season with 1,168 yards, missing the league lead by one yard.

On the NFL Films documentary about his career, “A Football Life”, Largent talked about what set him apart from other wide receivers: “A lot of receivers run a 4.3 40, but they can’t run routes, and they can’t come out of routes. I could get into a route and out of a route without losing any speed. I was quicker than a lot of guys that had a lot faster straight-ahead speed.”  

In eight of the nine seasons from 1978 to 1986, Largent eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark, and he caught 11 and 12 touchdown passes in 1983 and 1984, respectively, as the Seahawks made the playoffs for the first two times in team history. In the 1988 AFC playoffs, after the Seahawks won the AFC West for the first time, he caught seven passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the wild card game.

Twice in his career, Largent led the NFL in receiving yards, with 1,237 yards in 1979 and 1,287 in 1985. His 1985 yardage total stood firm as a franchise record for 35 years. Because of his craftiness and apparent wizardry on an annual basis, he was nicknamed “Yoda” by his teammates, who viewed him as a true “Jedi Master” of receiving.

“The Force was with Steve,” former Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg told NFL Films. “He was magical. There was something about him that’s unexplainable.”  

In 1981 and 1987, Largent finished second in the AFC in receptions. He was named to the Pro Bowl seven times, was a First-Team All-Pro in 1985 and was a Second Teamer in four other seasons, He was the first Seahawks player to be inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor in 1989. Largent also found his well-earned place on the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Team and 1980s All-Decade Team. He was the first Seahawks player to have his number retired, as his No. 80 was honored accordingly in 1992.

In the team’s first 12 seasons of existence, Largent was the Seahawks leader in receptions and yards. He started more games than any other player in franchise history (197). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. When he retired, Largent held several major NFL receiving records, including most career receptions (819), most career receiving yards (13,089), and most touchdown receptions (100). He was the first NFL player to reach 100 touchdown receptions in a career.

“It’s amazing how he could just snatch the ball out of the air. I idolized him,” said former Seahawk and NFL Legend Jerry Rice on NFL Films.

The annual Steve Largent Award was established in 1989. The award honors the player or coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and integrity of the Seahawks.

After his playing career concluded, Largent pursued his political aspirations and represented the 1st District of the State of Oklahoma for four terms. He then served and was re-elected for his home state in the United States House of Representatives before pursuing the governorship of Oklahoma.