Bobby Wagner was voted a defensive co-captain by his teammates prior to the start of the season, he was named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster earlier this month, and this week the Seahawks linebacker received another significant honor, being named the Seahawks' 2017 Steve Largent Award Winner.
The Largent Award, which is voted on by Seahawks players, is given to the player who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and integrity of the Seahawks. The award was first handed out in 1989 to its Hall of Fame namesake, and the list of winners includes five other current Seahawks, Russell Wilson (2012), Earl Thomas (2013), Kam Chancellor (2014 and 2016) and Richard Sherman (2015). Wagner will be presented with the Steve Largent Award prior to Sunday's regular season finale against the Arizona Cardinals.
"It means a lot," Wagner said. "It's definitely a blessing. That's an award that I wanted to win, just because of everything that it represents. It just shows the dedication to the craft, things like that. It's definitely a blessing, I'm extremely honored. I was looking forward to hopefully getting this award someday."
The fact that the Largent Award is voted upon by his teammates only makes the honor that much more meaningful to Wagner. Â
"It's the people you grind with every day, the people you play with and play for every single day that voted for you, so that makes it even more special," he said. "I'm definitely going to put that somewhere special."
Despite battling a hamstring injury for most of the second half of the season, Wagner leads the NFL with 96 solo tackles, a career-best, and his 130 total tackles ranks fourth. He also has two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown, a 1.5 sacks and 12 tackles for a loss, tied for the most in the league by a non-defensive lineman or pass-rushing outside linebacker. Wagner has been named to the Pro Bowl each of the past four seasons, and is a two-time first-team All-Pro, earning the honor in 2014 and 2016 (2017 All-Pro teams have not yet been announced).
Last month, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll described Wagner's 2017 season as being, "as good as a defensive player can have. He's on top of everything. He's great at the running game, he's great at the pass game, he's a fantastic rusher. He's as good as you can hope for. He's having a great season."
Seattle Seahawks Steve Largent Award Winners
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
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' 21-12 win over the Dallas Cowboys during Week 16 at AT&T Stadium.Â
Seahawks Russell Wilson and DeShawn Shead walk from the practice facility to the buses for the start of the road trip to Dallas to face the Cowboys in Week 16.
Seahawks fan Lorin Sandretzky cheers on the team buses as they approach Sea-Tac International Airport on Friday.
The Seahawks boarded a Boeing 747 for the round-trip to Dallas. It was the last flight of a Delta 747 before the fleet was retired by the airline.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett adds his signature to one of the engines of the Boeing 747 that carried the team to Dallas and back for the game against the Cowboys.
Texas native Jordan Roos arrived in Dallas properly attired for his homecoming.
Seahawks defensive backs including Mike Tyson and Neiko Thorpe leave a position meeting in the team's hotel on Saturday morning.
The team walks down a ramp to the local practice field for Saturday's walkthru.
Receiver Amara Darboh practices catching passes during walkthru on Saturday.
Quarterback Russell Wilson breaks down the team huddle before the game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson talks with the head referee during team stretch.
Back in the locker room, the Seahawks joined hands one last time before taking the field for the game.
Quarterback Russell Wilson along with Justin Britt, Germain Ifedi and Austin Davis, wait for pregame introductions beneath a large lit Dallas star.
Receiver Doug Baldwin finds room after the catch as running back MIke Davis assists with a block.
Defensive end Frank Clark tackles Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott during the first half.
Seahawks Jarran Reed and Earl Thomas combine to stop Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
The late winter sun streams through the end zone windows at AT&T Stadium.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell gets congratulations from Dion Jordan and defensive coordinator Kris Richard after Maxwell forced a fumble by Dallas in the first half.
Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham uses his size to screen away a Dallas defender for a three-yard touchdown that gave Seattle a 7-6 lead.
Seattle's K.J. Wright tackles Dallas' Terrance Williams in the first half.
Offensive assistants including Will Harriger, Darrell Bevell, David Canales and Nate Carroll gather for a quick strategy session in the locker room at halftime.
Defensive line coach Clint Hurt talks with his players Marcus Smith, Garrison Smith, Jarran Reed and Sheldon Richardson at halftime.
Seahawks cornerback Justin Coleman heads to the end zone with a pick-six and makes eye contact with Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
Seahawks defensive backs Bradley McDougald and Justin Coleman celebrate Coleman's interception for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Cornerbacks Shaquill Griffin and Justin Coleman celebrate after Griffin recorded a sack of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett is on the receiving end of a personal foul face-mask penalty in the red zone in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin made himself wide-open in the end zone for a six-yard touchdown reception to give the Seahawks a 21-12 lead that they would not relinquish.
Seattle's defense took over in the fourth quarter, with safeties Earl Thomas and Bradley McDougald taking down Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
Frank Clark celebrates after sacking Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Seahawks escaped a drive after Dallas kicker Dan Bailey pushed this field goal attempt wide right.
Seattle's Michael Bennett sakes Dak Prescott late in the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates after the defense stopped the Cowboys and forced another missed field goal to seal the win.
Quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Dak Prescott shake hands after the game.
In the victorious Seahawks locker room, head coach Pete Carroll yells in the direction of receiver Doug Baldwin.
As has become a custom, head coach Pete Carroll awarded the players first class seats for the return trip to Seattle, and quarterback Russell Wilson looked cool and comfortable before takeoff.
High over the middle of the country, head coach Pete Carroll reviewed game tape on his tablet in the darkened cabin of the Delta charter Boeing 747.
Upon landing in Seattle, linebacker K.J. Wright and teammates navigated snowy conditions as they made their way from airplane to bus.
Loyal 12s braved the cold and snow to welcome the team back to the VMAC on Christmas morning.
