Steve Largent
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Steven Largent
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| In office November 29, 1994 – February 15, 2002 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Inhofe |
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| Succeeded by | John Sullivan |
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| Born | September 28, 1954 Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Political party | Republican |
| Religion | Christian |
| Steve Largent | |
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| Position(s): Wide Receiver |
Jersey #(s): 80 |
| Born: September 28, 1954 Tulsa, Oklahoma |
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| Career information | |
| Year(s): 1976–1989 | |
| NFL Draft: 1976 / Round: 4 / Pick: 117 | |
| College: Tulsa | |
| Professional teams | |
| Career stats | |
| Receptions | 819 |
| Receiving Yards | 13,089 |
| Touchdowns | 101 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Pro Football Hall of Fame | |
Steven Michael "Steve" Largent (born September 28, 1954, Tulsa, Oklahoma) is a retired American football player, enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and a former U.S. Congressman, having served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Oklahoma from 1994 until 2002. He made an unsuccessful run for Governor of Oklahoma in 2002.
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[edit] Football career
Despite an All-American career at the University of Tulsa, Largent was not selected until the fourth round of the 1976 NFL draft by the Houston Oilers. 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.
Largent spent thirteen years with the Seahawks, and, while not particularly fast, was extremely sure-handed. He was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl seven times, and was the first Seahawk to earn that honor. In 1982, Largent, along with teammate Jim Zorn, ended his participation in the NFL strike, after the 3rd and final week of the strike, citing religious principles, specifically based on Matthew 5:36–37, stating that "your word is your bond" and that all contracts shall be honored as with God.
In 1989, Steve Largent became the first Seahawk to win the Steve Largent award for his spirit, dedication and integrity.[1]
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 was also in possession of a then-record streak of 177 consecutive regular-season games with a reception.
Largent was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. In 1999, he was ranked number 46 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the only Seahawk on the list.
His number (80) was retired in 1992; as of 2007[update] he is the only Seahawk to be so honored (although the team has retired number 12 in honor of the fans, the “twelfth man”). During Jerry Rice's stint with the Seahawks in 2004, Largent's number 80 was temporarily "unretired" with his approval, permitting Rice to continue to wear the number he had used for his entire career. Largent remains the most prolific receiver in team history. On October 26, 2008 Largent's University of Tulsa number (83) was retired.
[edit] Political career
Largent returned to Miamisburg in 1992, later moving to Tulsa. In 1994, 1st District Congressman Jim Inhofe ran in a special election to succeed Senator David Boren but he resigned, so the Governor of Oklahoma appointed Largent to the 103rd Congress to fill the vacancy and was subsequently elected to the 104th Congress.[2]
He 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.[3][4][5] He served until his resignation on February 15, 2002 to devote his attention to his gubernatorial campaign. Like many of his colleagues of the Republican freshmen class elected in 1994 — when the Republicans took control of the House for the first time in 40 years — Largent's voting record was very conservative. Largent was one of the "true believers" in that freshman class. He devoted most of his time to issues important to the 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 one of his early bills would have abolished the federal tax code at the end of 2001. He opposed ending the 1995 federal government shutdown. When it ended he was one of the major players in an attempted coup against House Speaker Newt Gingrich.[citation needed] Largent introduced a bill that would ban adoptions by gay and lesbian parents in Washington, D.C. He was later criticized as anti-Catholic due to his line of questioning of a House of Representatives chaplain in 2000, though he denied this.[6]
Largent himself tried to take advantage of discontent with Majority Leader Dick Armey by challenging Armey for the post. Armey was very unpopular in the Republican caucus, but managed to defeat Largent because Largent wasn't seen as a team player. However, the bruising contest all but ended Armey's chances of becoming Speaker. Largent decided to run for Governor of Oklahoma in 2002. He easily won the Republican nomination and resigned his House seat to devote all his energy to the race. Initially seen as an overwhelming favorite against Democratic state senator Brad Henry, Largent lost to Henry by just under 7,000 votes in the three-way race.
Largent's loss has been attributed to three factors:[citation needed]
- The presence of a well-funded independent (a former Republican) on the general election ballot
- Henry's support of cockfighting, garnering a last minute endorsement by rural cockfighting interests who turned out in large numbers as the legality of cockfighting was on the ballot[citation needed]
- Largent's unfamiliarity with hostile press interviews, as he had been somewhat of a popular local celebrity in Tulsa. This led to his swearing at an Oklahoma City television reporter who wanted to know where he was at the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks. It was later learned that Largent had been on a hunting trip and didn't find out about the events of 9/11 until a day or so later.[citation needed]
Largent is currently the President & CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association. 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.[citation needed]
[edit] Electoral history
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct | 3rd Party | Party | Votes | Pct | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Stuart Price | 63,753 | 37% | Steve Largent | 107,085 | 63% | ||||||||
| 1996 | Randolph John Amen | 57,996 | 28% | Steve Largent | 143,415 | 68% | Karla Condray | Independent | 8,996 | 4% | ||||
| 1998 | Howard Plowman | 56,309 | 38% | Steve Largent | 91,031 | 62% | ||||||||
| 2000 | Dan Lowe | 58,493 | 29% | Steve Largent | 138,528 | 69% | Michael A. Clem | Libertarian | 2,984 | 1% |
[edit] References
- ^ Booth, Tim (2008, December 19). Holmgren given Largent Award by players. KomoNews.com. Retrieved December 22, 2008 from http://www.komonews.com/sports/seahawks/36481564.html
- ^ Biodata
- ^ Current Election Results
- ^ General Election Results 11/3/98
- ^ General Election Results 11/7/00
- ^ Catholic Bashing?
- ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html. Retrieved on 2007-08-08.
[edit] External links
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
- Seahawks Slide Show
- CTIA Bio Page
| United States House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by Jim Inhofe |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's 1st congressional district November 29, 1994 – February 15, 2002 |
Succeeded by John Sullivan |
| Sporting positions | ||
| Preceded by Dianne Baker Junior Bridgeman Pat Haden Lisa Rosenblum John Dickson Stufflebeem John Trembley |
Silver Anniversary Awards (NCAA) Class of 2001 alongside: Alpha V. Alexander Archie Griffin Steve Raible Lee Roy Selmon Wally Walker |
Succeeded by Richard C. Chapman Maurice "Bo" Ellis Herman Frazier Betsy King John Naber Rodney E. Slater |
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