
8. Steve Largent vs. Mike Harden
There are a number of nasty hits that wouldnāt make a rivalry list because theyāre 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 Hardenās 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 Largentās teammates. Harden was even fined $5,000 for the hit, but a fine seemingly wasnāt 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.
āPeople ask me, did I know who it was when I hit him? I say, āI knew exactly who it was, and I knew exactly what I was trying to do, and I did it,āā Largent told NBC SportsĀ in 2020. āThey say in the NFL that āpayback is hell,ā and thatās what I was thinking when I got to hit him at that point.ā
A chance encounter decades later resulted in the two connecting over the phone, where the two spoke for the first time. āWe kind of cleared the air and went on our way,ā Largent recounted. Even though thereās no hard feelings, Largent remains proud of his hard-hitting revenge tackle.
āThat was my favorite play of my NFL career ā a tackle, not a catch,ā Largent told NFL Films.