Steve Largent Biography Quotes 19 Report mistakes

Early Life
Stephen Neal Largent was born on September 28, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Raised in Oklahoma, he gravitated to football early and developed a reputation less for raw measurables than for precision, concentration, and resilience. Those traits would become his signature, carrying him from local standout to a national figure in sports and, later, public service.

College Career
Largent stayed close to home at the University of Tulsa, where he refined the route-running and body control that defined his play. Though not the fastest receiver, he consistently separated from defenders with timing and technique, turning himself into a reliable target. By the time he left Tulsa, he had shown enough to earn a chance at the professional level, even if he remained underappreciated by the broader scouting consensus.

Entry into the NFL
The Houston Oilers selected Largent in the 1976 NFL Draft. His professional start was uncertain; the Oilers quickly moved on, and a recommendation from assistant coach Jerry Rhome, who knew Largent's game from earlier coaching stops, proved pivotal. Seattle, a new expansion franchise led by head coach Jack Patera, acquired Largent for a late-round pick. That quiet transaction became one of the most lopsided deals in league history.

Seattle Seahawks Years
In Seattle, Largent teamed with left-handed quarterback Jim Zorn to give the young franchise an immediate identity. Zorn's improvisation and Largent's uncanny field awareness produced sustained, production-heavy seasons and a loyal fan base. Later, under head coach Chuck Knox and with quarterback Dave Krieg, Largent's game matured into a model of consistency. He thrived in high-leverage moments, working sideline routes and seams with discipline that opponents could diagnose but rarely stop.

A defining snapshot of Largent's toughness came in 1988, when a hit from Denver defensive back Mike Harden left him injured early in the season. Later that year, after an interception, Largent found Harden, delivered a clean, punishing block, and recovered a fumble, a moment that illustrated both his memory and his competitive resolve.

Records and Recognition
By the time he retired after the 1989 season, Largent held the NFL's career records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches. He was the first receiver to reach 100 touchdown receptions, and he left the game with 819 catches and 13, 089 yards. Those marks, eventually surpassed by players like Jerry Rice, established the modern template for professional excellence at wide receiver. Largent earned multiple Pro Bowl selections and was recognized with the league's Man of the Year award for his community service. The Seahawks retired his No. 80 and placed him in their Ring of Honor, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

His reputation for humility and respect extended beyond his playing years. In 2004, when Jerry Rice joined Seattle late in his own storied career, Largent gave permission for Rice to wear No. 80 temporarily, an uncommon gesture that reflected mutual regard among greats and the connection Largent maintained with the franchise.

Transition to Public Service
Largent entered politics in the mid-1990s, running as a Republican in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District, centered on Tulsa. He won the seat that had been held by Jim Inhofe, who moved to the U.S. Senate. Arriving as part of the 1994 wave associated with Speaker Newt Gingrich, Largent brought the same disciplined approach to policy that had marked his athletic career.

Congress and Campaign for Governor
Serving in the U.S. House from 1994 to 2002, Largent focused on issues important to his district and broader conservative priorities, working with colleagues shaped by the same reform-minded moment. In 2002 he left Congress to run for governor of Oklahoma. The race was close and hard-fought; Democrat Brad Henry ultimately prevailed in a narrow outcome influenced by a competitive independent bid that divided the electorate.

Postpolitical Career and Continued Influence
After the gubernatorial race, Largent shifted to leadership in the private sector. He became the chief executive of CTIA, The Wireless Association, representing the mobile communications industry during a period of rapid innovation. That role placed him in regular contact with corporate leaders and policymakers as the United States navigated the early smartphone era and the expansion of wireless infrastructure.

Personal Life and Legacy
Anchored by his family and faith, Largent maintained a visible presence in civic and charitable efforts, mentoring young athletes and supporting community causes in Oklahoma and the Pacific Northwest. Alongside coaches like Jack Patera and Chuck Knox and quarterbacks Jim Zorn and Dave Krieg, he helped define the early Seahawks. In the broader history of the sport, his precise routes and reliable hands set standards later pursued by stars such as Jerry Rice. In public life, he worked with figures including Jim Inhofe and Newt Gingrich during a transformative period in Congress and tested his leadership in a statewide contest against Brad Henry.

For many, Steve Largent's story is the arc of an overlooked prospect who became a franchise cornerstone, a Hall of Famer who carried his credibility into national service, and a leader who remained grounded in the communities that shaped him.

Our collection contains 19 quotes who is written by Steve, under the main topics: Hope - Sports - Sarcastic - Moving On - Privacy & Cybersecurity.