Fansided
Fansided

The Greatest Villain In the History of All 32 NFL Teams

By Erik Lambert

of the New York Jets of the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 22, 2007 in Irving, Texas
of the New York Jets of the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 22, 2007 in Irving, Texas /
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LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 4: Defensive back Mike Harden of the Denver Broncos looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 4, 1988 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 21-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES – DECEMBER 4: Defensive back Mike Harden of the Denver Broncos looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 4, 1988 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 21-20. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

Seattle Seahawks

36. . DB. Denver Broncos. Mike Harden . 29. player

Nobody knew the name Mike Harden until opening day of 1988. That’s when he transformed from nondescript defensive back of the Denver Broncos to genuine object of loathing for Seattle Seahawks fans everywhere. It came when he delivered a vicious, illegal hit on wide receiver Steve Largent. The blow not only knocked him cold but also knocked out some of his teeth.

Harden was fined $5,000 for the incident and never expressed much remorse over the hit. It certainly had an impact on Largent. Though he only missed one game, the future Hall Famer had his worst season statistically since 1977. The 1982 year doesn’t count because it was a strike-shortened season. So one could argue Harden accelerated Largent’s decline.

That said, he didn’t get away with it. Later that same season, the two teams met for a rematch. Harden intercepted an overthrown pass and appeared to be running it back for a possible touchdown. At that moment Largent came out of nowhere to level him with a ferocious hit. Harden fumbled the ball and Seattle recovered. They won the game 42-14.

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