Steve Largent Biography - Sooner Childhood, Seahawks Star, Chronology, Serves In Congress, Career Statistics, Awards And Accomplishments
nfl oklahoma football election
1954-
American football player
Although his fourteen seasons with the Seattle Seahawks did not result in any National Football League (NFL) championships, Steve Largent retired as the holder of NFL records in receptions, yards, and
Steve Largent
touchdowns. Often underestimated by his opponents, who thought that Largent was too small and slow to be an offensive threat, the wide receiver eventually gained recognition as a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. After retiring as a professional athlete in 1989, Largent returned to his native Oklahoma and opened an advertising agency while cultivating his contacts with the state's Republican Party leadership. In 1994 he won election to the U.S. Congress as the Representative of the First District of Oklahoma, a feat that made him one of just five former NFL players ever to have served in Congress. Reelected in 1996, 1998, and 2000, Largent resigned from office in late 2001 in order to enter Oklahoma's gubernatorial race in 2002. Although he held a wide lead in the polls throughout most of the race, Largent lost the election and said that he would return to the private sector.
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Steven Michael Largent was born on September 28, 1954 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Jim and Sue (Stewart) Largent. The couple separated when their son was about six years old and Sue Largent subsequently remarried. Largent's step-father, John Cargill, was an abusive alcoholic who sometimes became physically violent against his stepson. As Largent later told the New York Times in an interview includ…
Largent was immediately picked up by the Seattle Seahawks, a new franchise with an assistant coach, Jerry Rhome, who had previously coached Largent at the University of Tulsa. Rhome helped to instill confidence in Largent, who made his NFL debut in a 1976 game against the St. Louis Cardinals with five receptions. Largent ended up being the Seahawks' most reliable receiver in his fourteen ye…
Largent was reelected in 1996, 1998, and 2000. During his four terms in Congress, Largent followed a staunchly conservative platform against abortion rights and equal rights for homosexuals and in support of allowing prayer in public schools and granting government subsidies to private, religious schools. An advocate of the business community, Largent rarely voted for legislation endorsed by organ…
Babson, Jennifer, and Bob Benenson. "Steve Largent." Congressional Quarterly Weekly Report (January 7, 1995). Benedetto, Richard. "State Senator Defeats Former Star of NFL." USA Today (November 7, 2002). "Career Paths: How They Got Where They Are." Campaigns and Elections (October 2001). Deitsch, Richard, and Kostya Kennedy. "Q&A: Steve Large…
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