Julian Love has been making headlines recently following a series of achievements in his NFL career. After returning from injured reserve, where he spent nine games this season, he received notable recognition. Love was named the Seattle Seahawks’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and also won the prestigious Steve Largent Award.
Recognition and Awards
Before a recent game, Love was honored with the Steve Largent Award by Seahawks legend Steve Largent. This award is voted on by teammates and acknowledges a player or coach who embodies the dedication, spirit, and integrity of the Seahawks franchise. Upon receiving the award, Love expressed gratitude, stating, “It’s pretty cool. Steve Largent’s obviously the legend. Just to be seen in that light with my teammates, it’s pretty special.”
Historical Context of the Award
Julian Love stands out as the ninth player in Seahawks history to earn both the Steve Largent Award and the Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination. Previous winners include:
- Eugene Robinson (1993)
- Brian Blades (1994)
- Mack Strong (2004)
- Bobby Engram (2007)
- Roy Lewis (2010)
- Richard Sherman (2015)
- Tyler Lockett (2021 & 2022)
- Bobby Wagner (2023)
Commitment to Excellence
In an interview, Love highlighted the importance of his off-the-field contributions. He emphasized earning the trust of his teammates and being there for the community. His commitment to social responsibility aligns with the values celebrated through the Walter Payton Award. “I think that’s kind of what goes into all these awards,” he noted. “I’m here for my community. That’s [why I] got the Walter Payton Award. And this is just, I think, I’m doing my job the right way.”
Steve Largent Award Winners List
The Steve Largent Award has a rich history since its inception in 1989. Below is a comprehensive list of past winners:
| Year | Player |
|---|---|
| 1989 | WR Steve Largent |
| 1990 | DE Jacob Green |
| 1991 | LB Rufus Porter |
| 1992 | DE Jeff Bryant & DT Joe Nash |
| 1993 | FS Eugene Robinson |
| 1994 | WR Brian Blades |
| 1995 | LB Terry Wooden |
| 1996 | DT Cortez Kennedy |
| 1997 | LB Winston Moss |
| 1998 | DE Michael Sinclair |
| 1999 | LB Chad Brown |
| 2000 | RB Ricky Watters |
| 2001 | FB Mack Strong |
| 2002 | FB Mack Strong |
| 2003 | QB Trent Dilfer |
| 2004 | FB Mack Strong |
| 2005 | FB Mack Strong |
| 2006 | FB Mack Strong |
| 2007 | WR Bobby Engram |
| 2008 | Head Coach Mike Holmgren |
| 2009 | QB Matt Hasselbeck |
| 2010 | CB Roy Lewis |
| 2011 | DT Red Bryant |
| 2012 | QB Russell Wilson |
| 2013 | S Earl Thomas |
| 2014 | S Kam Chancellor |
| 2015 | CB Richard Sherman |
| 2016 | S Kam Chancellor |
| 2017 | LB Bobby Wagner |
| 2018 | QB Russell Wilson |
| 2019 | QB Russell Wilson |
| 2020 | LB K.J. Wright |
| 2021 | WR Tyler Lockett |
| 2022 | WR Tyler Lockett |
| 2023 | LB Bobby Wagner |
| 2024 | WR Tyler Lockett |
| 2025 | S Julian Love |
Julian Love’s recognition in 2025 as the Steve Largent Award winner highlights his exemplary character and dedication to the Seahawks community.
