10 best receiver-defensive back rivalries in NFL history

By Kinnu Singh | May 15, 2023

IRVING, TX - NOVEMBER 12: Wide receiver Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers runs a pass pattern against cornerback Deion Sanders #21 of the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on November 12, 1995. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys 38-20. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images) /

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Seattle Seahawks Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent (80) makes a reception in a 27-24 win over the Denver Broncos on November 25, 1984 at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Rob Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

8. Steve Largent vs. Mike Harden

There are a number of nasty hits that wouldn’t make a rivalry list because they’re singular events rather than active feuds between players. When Denver Broncos defensive back Mike Harden slammed into Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Steve Largent, he likely imagined that the hits would be one-sided. Little did Harden know that soon enough, Largent would mete out consequences for enduring a concussion and two missing teeth.

In the 1988 season opener, the Broncos and Seahawks were in the midst of a divisional matchup when Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg led Largent with the ball. A defenseless receiver in the moment, Largent was struck by Harden’s elbow as he came charging across the field. Despite differing NFL rules, the hit was still seen as brutal at the time and was widely criticized by Largent’s teammates. Harden was even fined $5,000 for the hit, but a fine seemingly wasn’t enough punishment for Largent.

Largent waited 14 weeks until the two teams met again, seizing a rare opportunity when Harden intercepted a Seahawks pass in the endzone and barreled down the field. Like Harden did months before, Largent came charging toward Harden and tackled him, forcing a fumble that Largent then recovered. On the game footage, Largent is seen taking a moment to gloat over Harden before rushing to recover the fumble.

“People ask me, did I know who it was when I hit him? I say, ‘I knew exactly who it was, and I knew exactly what I was trying to do, and I did it,’” Largent told NBC Sports in 2020. “They say in the NFL that ‘payback is hell,’ and that’s what I was thinking when I got to hit him at that point.”

A chance encounter decades later resulted in the two connecting over the phone, where the two spoke for the first time. “We kind of cleared the air and went on our way,” Largent recounted. Even though there’s no hard feelings, Largent remains proud of his hard-hitting revenge tackle.

“That was my favorite play of my NFL career — a tackle, not a catch,” Largent told NFL Films.

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