Steve Largent

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"Largent" redirects here. For the village, see Largent, West Virginia. For other uses, see L'Argent (disambiguation).

Steve Largent
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 1st district
In office
November 29, 1994 – February 15, 2002
Preceded byJim Inhofe
Succeeded byJohn Sullivan
Personal details
Born (1954-09-28) September 28, 1954 (age 70)
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseTerry Largent
Children4
EducationUniversity of Tulsa (BS)
American football career
No. 80
Position:Wide receiver,
Holder
Personal information
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:187 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school:Putnam City (OK)
College:Tulsa (1972–1975)
NFL draft:1976 / round: 4 / pick: 117
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:819
Receiving yards:13,089
Receiving touchdowns:100
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Stephen Michael Largent (born September 28, 1954) is an American former professional football wide receiver and politician. His nickname during his playing career was "Island Time".

Largent played

Tulsa University. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers in 1976, but was traded to the expansion Seattle Seahawks during preseason and played for the Seahawks for his entire 14-year National Football League (NFL) career. Regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, he held all the major NFL receiving records at the time of his retirement.[1][2][3][4] Largent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1995.

Following his playing career, as a Republican, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma's 1st congressional district, serving four terms from 1994 to 2002, winning over 60% of the vote in each election. He resigned his seat in 2002 to run for governor of Oklahoma, which he narrowly lost to Democrat Brad Henry in the 2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election.

Football career

Banners of Largent and the 12th Man hang over Lumen Field.

In 1974 at the University of Tulsa, Largent had 884 yards receiving and 14 touchdown catches. In 1975, he had 51 catches for 1,000 yards and 14 touchdown catches.

Despite an All-American career at Tulsa, Largent was not selected until the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers with the 117th pick.[5] After four preseason games, he was slated to be cut, but was instead traded to the expansion Seattle Seahawks for a 1977 eighth-round pick. According to Largent, Bum Phillips called him into his office and told Largent he had all the receivers they needed, and that Houston would be releasing him. Largent feared his career was over before it began.[6]

Largent spent 14 years with the Seahawks, initially reuniting with his college offensive coordinator, Jerry Rhome. His first practice with the team went horribly, as he suffered from sleep deprivation for nine days while financially struggling to care for his mother and three younger brothers after their mother left her alcoholic and violent second husband.[7] While not particularly fast, Steve was extremely sure-handed and was able to get wide open due to his route-running discipline. He became the first Seahawk selected to the Pro Bowl in 1978, and was selected six more times during his career. In 1979 he led the league in receiving yards with 1,237, and six years later did it again with 1,287 in 1985.[8][9] His 1985 receiving yardage was a Seahawks franchise record that stood for 35 years until broken by DK Metcalf in 2020.[10]

In 1987, Largent ended his participation in the

strike after the third and final week of the strike. With the retirement of Charlie Joiner the previous year, Largent became the NFL's active leader in career receiving yards, retaining that lead until his retirement in 1989. He broke Joiner's all-time record for receiving yards (12,146) in Week 3 of 1988. In the same season, he suffered a concussion and lost two teeth when he was hit by Mike Harden of the Denver Broncos
. Harden was tackled by Largent and lost a fumble 14 weeks later after Harden's initial interception.

In 1989, Largent became the first Seahawks player to win the Steve Largent Award for his spirit, dedication, and integrity.[11]

During his playing career Largent was given the nickname "Yoda" for his ability to catch anything thrown at him.[12] He attributed this ability to a skeet shooting buddy, a sport that focuses only on the edge of the skeet, as he only focused on the tip of the ball to track and catch balls, in the era where receivers and defensive backs did not wear gloves. This also allowed him to quickly adjust from catching balls thrown by left-handed Jim Zorn to right-handed Dave Krieg.

When Largent retired, he held all major NFL receiving records, including most receptions in a career (819), most receiving yards in a career (13,089), and most touchdown receptions (100). He also had a then-record streak of 177 consecutive regular-season games with a reception. He also holds the distinction as the first receiver in NFL history to grab 100 touchdown receptions in his career; his record stood until 1992 when it was broken by

retired.[14]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high
Year Team GP GS Receiving
Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1976 SEA 14 13 54 705 13.1 45 4
1977 SEA 14 14 33 643 19.5 74 10
1978 SEA 16 16 71 1,168 16.5 57 8
1979 SEA 15 15 66 1,237 18.7 55 9
1980 SEA 16 16 66 1,064 16.1 67 6
1981 SEA 16 16 75 1,224 16.3 57 9
1982 SEA 8 8 34 493 14.5 45 3
1983 SEA 15 14 72 1,074 14.9 46 11
1984 SEA 16 16 74 1,164 15.7 65 12
1985 SEA 16 16 79 1,287 16.3 43 6
1986 SEA 16 16 70 1,070 15.3 38 9
1987 SEA 13 13 58 912 15.7 55 8
1988 SEA 15 15 39 645 16.5 46 2
1989 SEA 10 9 28 403 14.4 33 3
Career 200 197 819 13,089 16.0 74 100

Political career

Tenure in Congress

In 1994, Oklahoma's 1st District Congressman

104th Congress.[15][16]

Largent took office on November 29, 1994, and was reelected to the three succeeding Congresses, never winning less than 60 percent of the vote in the heavily Republican

Tulsa-based district.[17][18][19]

Like many in the Republican freshman class elected in 1994, when the Republicans took control of the House for the first time in 40 years, Largent's voting record was solidly conservative. Largent was one of the "true believers" in that freshman class, devoting most of his time to issues important to conservative Christians.

One of his first bills was a "parental rights" bill that died in committee after it attracted opposition even from other Christian conservatives. Another of his bills would have abolished the federal tax code at the end of 2001. He opposed ending the

1995 federal government shutdown and played a role in the failed attempt to oust Newt Gingrich as Speaker. Largent introduced a bill that would ban adoptions by gay and lesbian parents in Washington, D. C. Before taking office, in 1993, Largent wrote a letter in which he said "many homosexual practices are immoral and downright repugnant".[20]

He was accused of being anti-Catholic due to his line of questioning of a House of Representatives chaplain in 2000, though he denied this.[21]

After the Republicans lost five seats in the 1998 midterm elections, Largent tried to take advantage of discontent with

Majority Leader Dick Armey by challenging Armey for the post. Although Armey was not popular in the Republican caucus, Largent was thought to be far too conservative for the liking of some moderate Republicans, and Armey won on the third ballot.[22] However, when Bob Livingston of Louisiana
stood down as Speaker-elect, Armey was still too wounded to make a bid for the job.

Run for governor

Largent decided to run for governor of Oklahoma in 2002. He easily won the Republican nomination and resigned his House seat on February 15 to devote his energy to the race. Initially seen as an overwhelming favorite against Democratic state senator Brad Henry, Largent lost by just under 7,000 votes.[23]

Largent's loss has been attributed by analysts to factors that included:

  • The presence of a well-funded independent (Gary Richardson, a former Republican) on the general election ballot;[24]
  • Henry's support of cockfighting, garnering a last minute endorsement by rural cockfighting interests that turned out in large numbers in the election in which the legality of cockfighting was on the ballot;[24][25][26]
  • Largent used a vulgarity, "bullshit," in response to an
    September 11, 2001 attacks. Largent had been on a hunting trip and did not know about the attacks until then.[25][27]

Post-political career

Largent became president and CEO of

CTIA-The Wireless Association in November 2003 and served until May 2014. CTIA is an international nonprofit membership organization founded in 1984, representing all sectors of wireless communications: cellular, personal communication services, and enhanced specialized mobile radio.[28][29]

Personal life

In 1990, Largent received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[30]

list of "Most Beautiful People".[31]

Largent has a son Kramer James (b. November 11, 1985) with spina bifida. He and his wife, Terry, also had three older children, sons Kyle and Kelly and daughter Casie.[32]

Electoral history

Oklahoma's 1st congressional district: Results 1994–2000[33]
Year Republican Votes Pct Democratic Votes Pct 3rd party Party Votes Pct
1994 Steve Largent 107,085 63% Stuart Price 63,753 37%
1996 Steve Largent 143,415 68% Randolph John Amen 57,996 28% Karla Condray Independent 8,996 4%
1998 Steve Largent 91,031 62% Howard Plowman 56,309 38%
2000 Steve Largent 138,528 69% Dan Lowe 58,493 29% Michael A. Clem Libertarian 2,984 1%
Summary of the 2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election results
Candidates Party Votes %
  Brad Henry Democratic Party 448,143 43.27%
  Steve Largent Republican Party 441,277 42.61%
  Gary Richardson Independent 146,200 14.12%
Total 1,035,620 100.0%
Source: 2002 Election Results

References

  1. ^ Kenyon, David (October 3, 2018). "The Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time". Bleacher Report. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  2. ^ Harrison, Elliot. "Ten best receivers of all time". NFL.com. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  3. ^ Tallent, Aaron (February 18, 2022). "25 Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History". AthlonSports.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Patuto, Greg (May 15, 2020). "Ranking The 20 Greatest NFL Wide Receivers Of All Time". ClutchPoints. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "1976 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Playing Physical, Evolution of Gear, & Lacking Confidence | WR Round Table". YouTube. October 17, 2019.
  7. ^ Steve Largent: A Football Life, archived from the original on September 25, 2020, retrieved April 19, 2020
  8. ^ "1979 NFL Receiving". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  9. ^ "1985 NFL Receiving". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  10. ^ "Seattle Seahawks Single-Season Receiving Leaders". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  11. ^ Booth, Tim (December 19, 2008). Holmgren given Largent Award by players. KomoNews.com. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  12. ^ Davis, Nate (October 23, 2015). "Seahawks great Steve Largent was nicknamed for 'Star Wars' character". USA Today. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
  13. Seattle Times
    , October 29, 2004.
  14. ^ Mike Brown, "TU honors standouts", Tulsa World, October 27, 2008.
  15. ^ LARGENT, Steve, (1954– ). bioguide.congress.gov
  16. ^ Jim Myers, "Largent Takes Oath of Office", Tulsa World, November 30, 1994.
  17. ^ "Oklahoma State Election Board". General Election Results. November 5, 1996
  18. ^ "Oklahoma State Election Board". General Election Results. November 3, 1998
  19. ^ "Oklahoma State Election Board". General Election Results. November 7, 2000
  20. Seattle Times
    , September 30, 1994
  21. TIME
    , February 27, 2000.
  22. Washington Post
    , November 19, 1998.
  23. ^ Calkins, Matt (April 8, 2020). "Hall of Famer Steve Largent enjoys Seahawks' appreciation, and a little Seattle anonymity". The Seattle Times. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  24. ^ a b David Averill, "Eyeing another campaign: Richardson had impact on 2002 governor's race", Tulsa World, March 22, 2009.
  25. ^ a b "Henry upsets Steve Largent in governor's race", AP at USA Today, November 5, 2002.
  26. New York Times
    , November 7, 2009.
  27. Washington Post
    , August 4, 2009.
  28. New York Times
    , March 22, 2004.
  29. ^ President & CEO Steve Largent at CTIA website.
  30. American Academy of Achievement
    .
  31. ^ "Steve Largent", People, May 6, 1996.
  32. ^ "Largent scandal fans flames of fame". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. July 17, 2006. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  33. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 25, 2007. Retrieved August 8, 2007.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steve Largent.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district

1994–2002 		Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by
Jennifer Dunn
 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Oklahoma
2002 		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas former U.S. Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as former U.S. Representative 		Followed byas former U.S. Representative
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