Sargent attended Waxahachie High School, where he played football, basketball and track. He accepted a football scholarship from Baylor University. As a senior, he registered 286 rushing yards on 70 carries and 138 receiving yards on 8 receptions. He finished his 5-year college career with 664 rushing yards on 164 carries and one touchdown.
Professional career
St. Louis Cardinals
Sargent was signed as an undrafted free agent by the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1986 NFL Draft on May 19. He played mainly on special teams. In 1987, after the players went on a strike on the third week of the season, those contests were canceled and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. Sargent crossed the picket line to be a part of the Cardinals replacement team, that was given the mock name "Crudbirds" by the media. In the fourth game against the Washington Redskins, he posted 78 yards rushing, including 70 in the first half. He was waived on August 22, 1988.
Dallas Cowboys
In March 1989, he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys and began the season as the starting fullback, until being passed on the depth chart by rookie Daryl Johnston. In the twelfth game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he was the team's leading rusher, including a career-long 43-yard run. On September 3, 1990, he was released after being passed on the depth chart by Tommie Agee for the backup fullback position. Against Green Bay he recorded a career-long 21-yard reception and had three receptions for the game, also a career-high. His one-yard scoring plunge against Miami was the first touchdown of his NFL career. The following week Sargent recorded a career-long 43-yard run against Philadelphia and led the team in rushing.
Montreal Machine (WLAF)
In 1991, he was the starting fullback of the Montreal Machine of the WorldLeague of American Football, posting 36 carries for 83 rushing yards, 23 receptions for 209 receiving yards and one rushing touchdown.
In 1992, he signed with the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League and was one of the leading rushers in the league with 263 yards. The next year, he broke the league record with 20 rushing touchdowns and was one of the league's rushing leaders, while helping the team win ArenaBowl VI.
