Steve Largent

The Gold Standard of Wide Receivers

Before Jerry Rice redefined the wide receiver position, Steve Largent was the original gold standard. A Hall of Famer, seven-time Pro Bowler, and the first true superstar of the Seattle Seahawks, Largent built his legendary career on precision route-running, sure hands, and an unmatched work ethic. Despite lacking elite size or blazing speed, he became one of the most productive and consistent wide receivers in NFL history, holding nearly every major receiving record when he retired.

From his humble beginnings as a fourth-round draft pick to becoming the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, Largent’s journey is a testament to hard work, intelligence, and sheer determination. He was a master technician, able to shake defenders with flawless footwork and leave defensive backs grasping at air.

For 14 seasons (1976-1989), Largent defined excellence at the wide receiver position. He wasn’t just great—he was the foundation upon which the Seattle Seahawks built their franchise, turning a young expansion team into a competitive force.

The Numbers Behind Largent’s Greatness

• Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (1995)
• Seven-time Pro Bowler (1978, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987)
• First-Team All-Pro (1985)
• NFL Man of the Year (1988)
• NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
• Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor
• Seattle Seahawks No. 80 Jersey Retired
• Career Stats:
  • 819 receptions (NFL record at retirement)
  • 13,089 receiving yards (NFL record at retirement)
  • 100 receiving touchdowns (NFL record at retirement)
  • Nine 1,000-yard seasons
  • 13 consecutive seasons leading the Seahawks in receiving

Largent was the first player in NFL history to reach 100 receiving touchdowns, setting the standard for future greats. His 819 receptions and 13,089 yards were also all-time records at the time, proving his dominance in an era that wasn’t nearly as pass-heavy as today’s game.

Overlooked and Undervalued – A Rocky Start in the NFL

Despite a standout career at the University of Tulsa, where he caught 14 touchdowns in his senior year, Largent was viewed as too slow, too small, and not athletic enough for the NFL.

• Selected in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers, Largent barely lasted four preseason games before being traded to the Seattle Seahawks for an eighth-round pick.
• It was one of the greatest steals in NFL history, as Largent immediately became the best player in Seattle’s young franchise.
• From the moment he stepped onto the field, it was clear that his intelligence, technique, and hands made him unstoppable.

Houston’s mistake was Seattle’s greatest fortune, as Largent would go on to define the Seahawks' franchise for over a decade.

The Seahawks’ First Superstar and Record Breaker

In Seattle, Largent didn’t just become a star—he became a legend.

• In just his second season (1977), he topped 1,000 receiving yards—a feat he would repeat nine times throughout his career.
• He led the Seahawks in receiving yards for 13 consecutive seasons, a streak of dominance that remains unmatched in franchise history.
• By 1985, he was regarded as the best route-runner in the NFL, earning First-Team All-Pro honors.
• He wasn’t just consistent—he was durable, playing in 200 career games and missing only four games in 14 seasons.
• By the time he retired, Largent had set NFL records for career receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns—three of the most prestigious marks in football.

Though Seattle didn’t have the championship pedigree of teams like San Francisco or Dallas, Largent’s reliability, production, and leadership turned the Seahawks into a respected contender.

Defining Moments of Largent’s Career

• 1976 – The Trade That Changed History: Houston sends Largent to Seattle for an eighth-round pick—one of the worst trades in NFL history.
• 1979 – Becoming a Star: Records his first 1,200+ yard season, proving that he’s among the league’s elite receivers.
• 1985 – First-Team All-Pro: Dominates the NFL with 79 catches for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• 1988 – The Ultimate Revenge: After Denver’s Mike Harden delivered a brutal cheap shot that broke Largent’s facemask, Largent got revenge later that season with a crushing blindside block on Harden, forcing a fumble and igniting Seahawks fans.
• 1989 – Breaking the NFL’s Receiving Records: Becomes the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, cementing his Hall of Fame legacy.
• 1995 – Hall of Fame Induction: Becomes the first true Seahawk legend to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Most Iconic Steve Largent Football Cards

Largent’s football cards are some of the most collected in Seahawks history, capturing his rise from underrated rookie to all-time great.

• 1977 Topps #177 Steve Largent Rookie Card – His official rookie card, one of the most iconic Seahawks cards ever.
• 1983 Topps #388 Steve Largent – Released during his prime, this card captures Largent at the peak of his dominance.
• 1989 Score #257 Steve Largent – His final playing-year card, representing the end of an era for the Seahawks legend.

For vintage collectors, these cards are essential pieces of NFL history, representing one of the most respected and beloved players in league history.

A Legacy That Transcends Generations

Steve Largent wasn’t just a great receiver—he was a model of consistency, leadership, and professionalism. His impact went beyond the field:

• He was the NFL’s first true possession receiver, showing that route-running and hands were just as important as speed.
• He played his entire career for one franchise, making him the Seahawks’ first true icon.
• His records stood for years, proving that excellence isn’t about athleticism—it’s about skill, intelligence, and work ethic.

After football, Largent continued to make an impact, serving as a U.S. Congressman from 1994 to 2002, further proving that his leadership extended beyond the gridiron.

Seattle has had many legends since Largent retired, but he remains the blueprint for what it means to be a Seahawk.

A Master of Route-Running, the Seahawks’ First Superstar, and One of the Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History.