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{{Short description|American football player and politician (born 1954)}}
{{redirect|Largent|the unincorporated community|Largent, West Virginia|other uses|L'Argent (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Steve Largent
| image               = Stevelargent.jpg
| state               = [[Oklahoma]]
| district            = {{ushr|OK|1|1st}}
| term_start          = November 29, 1994
| term_end            = February 15, 2002
| predecessor         = [[Jim Inhofe]]
| successor           = [[John Sullivan (Oklahoma politician)|John Sullivan]]
| birth_name          = Stephen Michael Largent
| birth_date          = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1954|9|28}}}}
| birth_place         = [[Tulsa, Oklahoma]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = Terry Largent
| children            = 4
| education           = [[University of Tulsa]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
| module      = {{Infobox NFL biography
| embed       = yes
| number      = 80
| position    = [[Wide receiver]]
| height_ft   = 5
| height_in   = 11
| weight_lbs  = 187
| high_school = [[Putnam City High School|Putnam City]] ([[Warr Acres, Oklahoma]])
| college     = [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane football|Tulsa]] (1972–1975)
| draftyear   = 1976
| draftround  = 4
| draftpick   = 117
| teams       = *[[Houston Oilers]] ([[1976 Houston Oilers season|1976]])*
*[[Seattle Seahawks]] ([[1976 Seattle Seahawks season|1976]]–[[1989 Seattle Seahawks season|1989]])
| highlights  = * [[Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award|NFL Man of the Year]] (1988)
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1985 All-Pro Team|1985]])
* 4× Second-team All-Pro ([[1978 All-Pro Team|1978]], [[1979 All-Pro Team|1979]], [[1984 All-Pro Team|1984]], [[1987 All-Pro Team|1987]])
* 7× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1979 Pro Bowl|1978]], [[1980 Pro Bowl|1979]], [[1982 Pro Bowl|1981]], [[1985 Pro Bowl|1984]]–[[1988 Pro Bowl|1987]])
* 2× [[List of National Football League season receiving yards leaders|NFL receiving yards leader]] (1979, 1985)
* [[National Football League 1980s All-Decade Team|NFL 1980s All-Decade Team]]
* [[NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team]]
* [[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team|PFWA All-Rookie Team]] ([[Pro Football Writers of America NFL All-Rookie Team#1976|1976]])
* [[Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor]]
* [[Seattle Seahawks#Retired numbers|Seattle Seahawks No. 80]] retired
* [[Bart Starr Award]] (1989)
* Second-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1975 College Football All-America Team|1975]])
* [[Tulsa Golden Hurricane football#Retired jerseys|Tulsa Golden Hurricane No. 83]] retired
| statlabel1  = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue1  = 819
| statlabel2  = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receiving yards]]
| statvalue2  = 13,089
| statlabel3  = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statvalue3  = 100
| pfr         = LargSt00
| HOF         = Steve-Largent}}
}}
'''Stephen Michael Largent''' (born September 28, 1954) is an American former professional [[American football|football]] [[wide receiver]] and politician who played in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) for 14 seasons with the [[Seattle Seahawks]]. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], he served in the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] for Oklahoma's [[Oklahoma's 1st congressional district|1st congressional district]] from 1994 to 2002. He was also the Republican nominee in the [[2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election]]. Largent is regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kenyon |first=David |date=October 3, 2018 |title=The Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers of All Time |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2797941-the-top-10-nfl-wide-receivers-of-all-time |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405022007/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2797941-the-top-10-nfl-wide-receivers-of-all-time |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Elliot |date=March 8, 2016 |title=Ten best receivers of all time |url=https://www.nfl.com/photos/ten-best-receivers-of-all-time-0ap3000000642432 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220603150608/https://www.nfl.com/photos/ten-best-receivers-of-all-time-0ap3000000642432 |archive-date=June 3, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tallent |first=Aaron |date=February 18, 2022 |title=25 Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-wide-receivers-nfl-history |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405075026/https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-wide-receivers-nfl-history |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=AthlonSports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Patuto |first=Greg |date=May 15, 2020 |title=Ranking The 20 Greatest NFL Wide Receivers Of All Time |url=https://clutchpoints.com/ranking-the-20-greatest-nfl-wide-receivers-of-all-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207200923/https://clutchpoints.com/ranking-the-20-greatest-nfl-wide-receivers-of-all-time/ |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=ClutchPoints |language=en-US}}</ref>

Largent played [[college football]] at [[Tulsa University]], where he studied biology, and began his NFL career with the expansion Seahawks in 1976. He was selected to seven [[Pro Bowl]]s and one first-team [[All-Pro]] and twice led the league in receiving yards. At the time of his retirement, he held all major NFL receiving records. Largent was inducted to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1995.

Following his playing career, Largent was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1994 and served four terms, winning over 60% of the vote in each election. He resigned from his seat in 2002 to run for governor of Oklahoma, which he narrowly lost to [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] state senator [[Brad Henry]].

==Football career==
[[File:NFL-Week02-SeaVSF001.JPG|150px|thumb|left|Banners of Largent and the [[12th man (football)|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 touchdowns.

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1976 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1976/draft.htm |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> After four preseason games, he was slated to be cut. 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.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/mk8gVg9bdUU Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20191101113311/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk8gVg9bdUU&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk8gVg9bdUU| title = Playing Physical, Evolution of Gear, & Lacking Confidence {{!}} WR Round Table | website=[[YouTube]]| date = October 17, 2019 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

However, his college offensive coordinator, [[Jerry Rhome]], was now the quarterbacks and receivers coach of the expansion [[Seattle Seahawks]].<ref name=HoF>{{cite web |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2011/04/news-unconventional-paths/ |title=Unconventional paths |first=Pete |last=Fierle |date=April 8, 2011 |publisher=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] |accessdate=December 11, 2024}}</ref> Rhome convinced head coach [[Jack Patera]] to trade a 1977 eighth-round draft pick for Largent.<ref name=HoF/> His first practice with the team went horribly, as he was suffering from nine days of sleep deprivation while financially struggling to care for his mother and three younger brothers after their mother left her alcoholic and violent second husband.<ref>{{Citation|title=Steve Largent: A Football Life|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZnjxRe5uyI| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925084427/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZnjxRe5uyI&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=September 25, 2020 | url-status=dead|language=en|access-date=April 19, 2020}}</ref> Despite this unpromising start, he made the roster of the expansion team's first season. 

Largent spent his entire 14-year career with the Seahawks. While not particularly fast, he was extremely sure-handed and able to get open due to his precise route-running. Between 1976 and 1981, he and quarterback [[Jim Zorn]]&mdash;a fellow rookie in 1976&mdash;had more completions and yardage than any other pair in the league.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fieldgulls.com/2024/7/1/24185194/seattle-seahawks-history-jim-zorn-steve-largent-greatest-bromance |title=The second-greatest Seahawks bromance |first=Gavin |last=Feek |date=July 1, 2024 |website=www.fieldgulls.com |accessdate=December 11, 2024}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=December 2024}} 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1979 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1979/receiving.htm |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=1985 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1985/receiving.htm |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> His 1985 receiving yardage was a Seahawks franchise record that stood for 35 years until broken by [[DK Metcalf]] in [[2020 Seattle Seahawks season|2020]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks Single-Season Receiving Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sea/single-season-receiving.htm |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 1987, Largent returned to play in a game against the [[1987 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] just before the end of the [[National Football League Players Association]] strike. Facing replacement players, he amassed 15 catches for 261 yards and three touchdowns.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198710180det.htm |title=Seattle Seahawks at Detroit Lions - October 18th, 1987 |publisher=[[Pro Football Reference]] |accessdate=December 11, 2024}}</ref> 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 was knocked unconscious and suffered a concussion and two cracked teeth when he was hit in the head with a forearm by [[Mike Harden]] of the [[Denver Broncos]]; Harden was fined $5000 by the league.<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/seattle-seahawks/post/_/id/6620/seahawks-top-play-1-largents-revenge-hit |title=Seahawks' top plays: Largent's revenge hit |first=Terry |last=Blount |date=July 7, 2014 |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=December 11, 2024}}</ref> Fourteen weeks later, in a rematch, Harden intercepted [[Dave Krieg]]'s pass in the end zone, but Largent raced over and inflicted a blindside hit that caused Harden to fall to the ground and fumble the ball, which Largent then recovered; the play was negated by a defensive penalty, but Largent had gotten his revenge.<ref name=ESPN/>

In 1989, Largent became the first Seahawks player to win the [[Steve Largent Award]] for his spirit, dedication, and integrity.<ref>Booth, Tim (December 19, 2008). [http://komonews.com/news/local/holmgren-given-largent-award-by-players-11-20-2015 Holmgren given Largent Award by players]. KomoNews.com. Retrieved July 21, 2016.</ref>

During his playing career, Largent was given the nickname "[[Yoda]]" for his ability to catch anything thrown at him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/seahawks/2015/10/23/steve-largent-yoda-a-football-life-nfl-network/74455400/|title=Seahawks great Steve Largent was nicknamed for 'Star Wars' character|last=Davis|first=Nate|date=October 23, 2015|publisher=[[USA Today]]|access-date=October 23, 2015}}</ref> 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 [[Jerry Rice]]. Largent was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 1995, his first year of eligibility. In 1999, he was ranked number 46 on ''[[The Sporting News]]'' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the only Seahawk to make the list. His #80 was [[jersey retirement|retired]] in 1992; Largent is the first Seahawk player to be so honored. During Jerry Rice's stint with the Seahawks in 2004, Largent's #80 was temporarily "unretired" after a conversation between Rice (who idolized Largent growing up) and Largent that was reportedly initiated by then Seahawks president [[Bob Whitsitt]].<ref>Greg Bishop, [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2002076120_rice29.html "Hawks offered No. 80, Rice says"], ''[[Seattle Times]]'', October 29, 2004.</ref> Largent remains the most prolific receiver in team history. On October 26, 2008, Largent's University of Tulsa #83 was also [[jersey retirement|retired]].<ref>Mike Brown, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/TU/article.aspx?subjectid=94&articleid=20081027_94_B6_Univer132992&archive=yes "TU honors standouts"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', October 27, 2008.</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! rowspan="2"| GP
! rowspan="2"| GS
! colspan="5"| Receiving
|-
! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1976 NFL season|1976]] || [[1976 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 14 || 13 || 54 || 705 || 13.1 || 45 || 4
|-
! [[1977 NFL season|1977]] || [[1977 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 14 || 14 || 33 || 643 || '''19.5''' || '''74''' || 10
|-
! [[1978 NFL season|1978]] || [[1978 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 16 || 16 || 71 || 1,168 || 16.5 || 57 || 8
|-
! [[1979 NFL season|1979]] || [[1979 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 15 || 15 || 66 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|1,237 || 18.7 || 55 || 9
|-
! [[1980 NFL season|1980]] || [[1980 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 16 || 16 || 66 || 1,064 || 16.1 || 67 || 6
|-
! [[1981 NFL season|1981]] || [[1981 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 16 || 16 || 75 || 1,224 || 16.3 || 57 || 9
|-
! [[1982 NFL season|1982]] || [[1982 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 8 || 8 || 34 || 493 || 14.5 || 45 || 3
|-
! [[1983 NFL season|1983]] || [[1983 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 15 || 14 || 72 || 1,074 || 14.9 || 46 || 11
|-
! [[1984 NFL season|1984]] || [[1984 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 16 || 16 || 74 || 1,164 || 15.7 || 65 || '''12'''
|-
! [[1985 NFL season|1985]] || [[1985 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 16 || 16 || '''79''' || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|'''1,287''' || 16.3 || 43 || 6
|-
! [[1986 NFL season|1986]] || [[1986 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 16 || 16 || 70 || 1,070 || 15.3 || 38 || 9
|-
! [[1987 NFL season|1987]] || [[1987 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 13 || 13 || 58 || 912 || 15.7 || 55 || 8
|-
! [[1988 NFL season|1988]] || [[1988 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 15 || 15 || 39 || 645 || 16.5 || 46 || 2
|-
! [[1989 NFL season|1989]] || [[1989 Seattle Seahawks season|SEA]]
| 10 || 9 || 28 || 403 || 14.4 || 33 || 3
|-
! colspan="2"|[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LargSt00.htm Career] || 200 || 197 || 819 || 13,089 || 16.0 || 74 || 100
|}

==Political career==
=== Tenure in Congress ===
In 1994, Oklahoma's 1st District Congressman [[Jim Inhofe]] resigned to run in a special election to succeed [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[David L. Boren|David Boren]]. Largent won the election to succeed Inhofe in Congress; pursuant to an Oklahoma statute, Governor [[David Walters]] designated the special election in which Largent was elected to serve the remainder of Inhofe's term in the [[103rd Congress]] before beginning his term in the [[104th Congress]].<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=L000096 LARGENT, Steve, (1954– )]. bioguide.congress.gov</ref><ref>Jim Myers, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?no=subj&articleid=485047&archive=yes "Largent Takes Oath of Office"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', November 30, 1994.</ref>

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.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080312190526/http://www.ok.gov/~elections/96gsum.html "Oklahoma State Election Board"]. General Election Results. November 5, 1996</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080312190526/http://www.ok.gov/~elections/98gen.html "Oklahoma State Election Board"]. General Election Results. November 3, 1998</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080312190526/http://www.ok.gov/~elections/00gensum.html "Oklahoma State Election Board"]. General Election Results. November 7, 2000</ref>

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 [[Christian fundamentalism|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 [[United States federal government shutdowns of 1995–1996|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".<ref>{{cite web | title=Group Slams Anti-Gay Letter By Steve Largent |agency=Associated Press| website=The Seattle Times | date=1994-09-30 | url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19940930/1933491/group-slams-anti-gay-letter-by-steve-largent | access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>

He was accused of being [[Anti-Catholicism|anti-Catholic]] due to his line of questioning of a House of Representatives [[chaplain]] in 2000, though he denied this.<ref>David van Biema, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090316022847/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,39948,00.html?iid=chix-sphere Catholic Bashing?], ''[[TIME]]'', February 27, 2000.</ref>

After the Republicans lost five seats in the 1998 midterm elections, Largent tried to take advantage of discontent with [[Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives|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.<ref>Guy Gugliotta and Juliet Eilperin. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/govt/leadership/stories/house111998.htm House Republicans Embrace Livingston, Armey, Watts]. ''[[Washington Post]]'', November 19, 1998.</ref>  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 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|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.<ref name="d019">{{cite web | last=Calkins | first=Matt | title=Hall of Famer Steve Largent enjoys Seahawks' appreciation, and a little Seattle anonymity | website=The Seattle Times | date=2020-04-08 | url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/hall-of-famer-steve-largent-enjoys-seahawks-appreciation-and-a-little-seattle-anonymity/ | access-date=2024-10-11}}</ref>

Largent's loss has been attributed by analysts to factors that included:
* The presence of a well-funded independent ([[Gary Richardson (lawyer)|Gary Richardson]], a former Republican) on the general election ballot;<ref name="Averill20090322">David Averill, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/opinion/article.aspx?subjectid=215&articleid=20090322_215_G6_GaryRi652763 "Eyeing another campaign: Richardson had impact on 2002 governor's race"], ''[[Tulsa World]]'', March 22, 2009.</ref>
* 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;<ref name="Averill20090322" /><ref name="AP20021106">[https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/2002-11-06-oklahoma-gov_x.htm "Henry upsets Steve Largent in governor's race"], [[Associated Press|AP]] at ''[[USA Today]]'', November 5, 2002.</ref><ref>John M. Broder, [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/07/us/the-2002-elections-governors-bright-spots-amid-dim-ones-for-democrats.html "The 2002 Elections: Governors; Bright Spots, Amid Dim Ones, for Democrats"], ''[[New York Times]]'', November 7, 2009.</ref>
* Largent used a vulgarity, "bullshit," in response to an [[Oklahoma City]] television reporter who repeatedly asked where he was at the time of the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]. Largent had been on a hunting trip and did not know about the attacks until then.<ref name="AP20021106" /><ref>{{cite news | last=Cillizza | first=Chris | title=Holtz for House: The Strange History of Sports Stars and Politics | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2010-04-13 | url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/house/holtz-for-house-the-strange-hi.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829195115/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/house/holtz-for-house-the-strange-hi.html | archive-date=2012-08-29 | url-status=dead | access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>

==Post-political career==
Largent became president and CEO of [[Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association|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.<ref>Matt Richtel, [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/22/business/in-the-hall-as-a-lobbyist-after-time-in-the-house.html?scp=2&sq=Steve+Largent&st=nyt "In the Hall as a Lobbyist After Time in the House"], ''[[New York Times]]'', March 22, 2004.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060822041509/http://www.ctia.org/aboutCTIA/president/index.cfm President & CEO Steve Largent] at CTIA website.</ref>

==Personal life==
In 1990, Largent received the Golden Plate Award of the [[Academy of Achievement|American Academy of Achievement]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=www.achievement.org|publisher=[[American Academy of Achievement]]|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/#sports}}</ref>

''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine named Largent to its 1996 [[People Magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People|list of "Most Beautiful People"]].<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20141179,00.html "Steve Largent"], ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', May 6, 1996.</ref>

Largent has a son Kramer James (b. November 11, 1985) with [[spina bifida]]. He and his wife, Terry, also have three older children, sons Kyle and Kelly and daughter Casie.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Miller |first=Ted |date=July 17, 2006 |title=Largent scandal fans flames of fame |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/football/article/Largent-scandal-fans-flames-of-fame-1209057.php |access-date=January 9, 2016 |newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|Oklahoma|1}}: Results 1994–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |access-date=August 8, 2007 |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070725184700/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=July 25, 2007 }}</ref>
!|Year
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Democratic
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|[[1994 United States House of Representatives elections|1994]]
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Steve Largent'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |107,085
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |63%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Stuart Price
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |63,753
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37%
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[1996 United States House of Representatives elections|1996]]
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Steve Largent'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |143,415
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |68%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|Randolph John Amen}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |57,996
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |28%
|
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |Karla Condray
|{{Party shading/Independent}} |[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |8,996
|{{Party shading/Independent}} align="right" |4%
|-
|[[1998 United States House of Representatives elections|1998]]
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Steve Largent'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |91,031
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |62%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Howard Plowman
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |56,309
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |38%
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[2000 United States House of Representatives elections|2000]]
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Steve Largent'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |138,528
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |69%
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Dan Lowe
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |58,493
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |29%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Michael A. Clem
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2,984
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1%
|}

{{Oklahoma gubernatorial election, 2002}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
* {{Profootballhof|id=123|name=Steve Largent}}
* {{Footballstats |nfl=Steve-Largent
|cfl= |afl= |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=L/LargSt00 |dbf=LARGESTE01 |rotoworld=}}
{{CongLinks|congbio=L000096}}
* {{C-SPAN|36750}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jim Inhofe]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Oklahoma|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Oklahoma's 1st congressional district]]|years=1994–2002}}
{{s-aft|after=[[John Sullivan (Oklahoma politician)|John Sullivan]]}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Trent Lott]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Response to the State of the Union address]]|years=[[1999 State of the Union Address|1999]]|alongside=[[Jennifer Dunn (politician)|Jennifer Dunn]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Susan Collins (politician)|Susan Collins]]<br>[[Bill Frist]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Frank Keating]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] nominee for [[Governor of Oklahoma]]|years=[[2002 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|2002]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ernest Istook]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jason Chaffetz]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-fol|after=[[J. C. Watts]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-end}}

{{OKRepresentatives}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=103rd–107th [[United States Congress]]es |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Oklahoma|Oklahoma]]}}
{{USCongRep/OK/103}}
{{USCongRep/OK/104}}
{{USCongRep/OK/105}}
{{USCongRep/OK/106}}
{{USCongRep/OK/107}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Steve Largent awards and honors
| list1 =
{{Houston Oilers 1976 draft navbox}}
{{1976 Seattle Seahawks}}
{{Walter Payton Man of the Year Award}}
{{Bart Starr Award}}
{{NFL receiving yardage leaders}}
{{NFL1980s}}
{{NFL100}}
{{Seattle Seahawks 35th anniversary team navbox}}
{{Seattle Seahawks}}
{{Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor}}
{{Seattle Seahawks retired numbers}}
{{1995 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
}}
{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Largent, Steve}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:20th-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:20th-century Oklahoma politicians]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century Oklahoma politicians]]
[[Category:American athlete-politicians]]
[[Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players]]
[[Category:American football wide receivers]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2002 United States elections]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the United States Congress who became lobbyists]]
[[Category:NFL players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Players of American football from Tulsa, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Politicians from Tulsa, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Republican Party United States representatives from Oklahoma]]
[[Category:Seattle Seahawks players]]
[[Category:Tulsa Golden Hurricane football players]]