Steve Largent Childhood

Stephen Michael Largent was born on September 28, 1954 in Tulsa, OK. He is the son of Sue and Jim Largent. Steve’s parents divorced when he was young. Although his mother would remark, life was still tough for him and his family. Sports became his place of refuge. His sport of choice was baseball, not football. However he would go on to be one of the best wide receivers of his era.

Steve Largent High School Stats and Awards

Largent attended Putnam City High School. He starred in both baseball and football. Although Largent had a good high school football career, it wasn’t enough to grab the attention of the major college football programs. He would accept a college scholarship offer to play football for Tulsa University.

Steve Largent College Career Stats and Notes

Largent played for Tulsa from 1973-75. He had 149 receptions for 2, 504 yards and 32 TDs during his college career. Largent earned All-American honors his senior year after recording 1,042 receiving yards and leading the nation with 14 TD receptions.

Steve Largent NFL Career Stats and Notes

Largent was selected in the 4th round (117th overall) in the 1976 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. However he never played a down for them as he signed with the Seattle Seahawks before the regular season started. Largent spent his entire career in the Emerald City. By the time he retired after the 1989 season, he was the NFL’s all-time leader in catches (819), yards (13,089) and TDs (100). Largent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995.

Steve Largent Catches NFL Record-Setting 100th TD

One of the greatest wide receivers set one of the most iconic records for the position. On December 10, 1989, the Seahawks faced off against the Cincinnati Bengals, a game they won on the road 24-17. Largent didn’t have a great game in the win as he hauled in 5 passes for 68 yards.  However one of those catches went for a 10 yard TD reception. Coming into that game he had 99 TDs, tied with Don Hutson as the NFL’s all-time leaders in receiving TDs. He set a new mark with 100.

The way the passing game has evolved in the NFL is very telling with this record. Hutson had the receiving TD record for 44 years before Largent broke it. It only took three years for Largent’s record to be broken by Hall of Fame legend Jerry Rice in 1992.