NFL: Selecting the best player in each franchise’s history
By Brad Rowland
Seattle Seahawks – Steve Largent
The Seahawks haven’t been The Seahawks throughout their existence in Seattle, but their recent run of success shouldn’t drown out their history. To be honest, the three best players in franchise history come from previous iterations, with tackle Walter Jones and defensive lineman Cortez Kennedy knocking on the door of this honor. Still, Largent is deserving of the nod on a number of levels.
Even if we ignore his post-NFL career as a congressman (insert laughter here), Largent’s profile speaks for itself. He exceeded 1,000 receiving yards in eight different seasons while garnering seven Pro Bowl selections. Largent remains seventh on the all-time receiving touchdowns list despite playing in an era where “bombs-away” wasn’t the mentality across the league.
He was a first-team selection for the all-decade team for the 1980s, and his longevity (he played in Seattle for the entirety of a 14-year career) reflects a great impact on the franchise. Players like Jones and Kennedy may have been greater for a shorter period of time, but Largent will always be associated with the Seahawks as the team’s first superstar, and he’s the choice.
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