Lynn Swann, nicknamed Swanny by some, has worn many hats during his lifetime, including Pro Football Hall of Fame Wide Receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers to sports broadcaster for ABC sports, to motivational speaker and politician. Lynn Swann is currently the Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2006 election.
Early Years:
Lynn Curtis Swann was born on March 7, 1952, in Alcoa, Tennessee.
His father, Willie, was an aircraft maintenance worker and his mother, Mildred worked as a dental hygienist. When Lynn Swann was 2, his family moved to San Mateo, California, where Lynn Swann studied dance - including ballet, modern dance and tap - from the age of four until his senior year in high school. Lynn often says that his mother's insistence on the dance training is what made him such a good athlete.
At the Catholic all-boys Junipero Serra High School, Lynn Swann also discovered an aptitude for sports, setting the school record for the long jump, playing on the basketball team and setting records on the football team, as both wide reciever and quarterback.
After earning high-school All-America honors, Lynn Swann accepted a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC). There he played in two Rose Bowls, helped the Trojans win the 1972 national championship, and was elected team captain and most valuable player (MVP) in 1973. He graduated from the USC School of Journalism with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, and was still dancing.
Pro Football Career - Pittsburgh Steelers:
Lynn Swann was selected as an All-American, and was drafted as the 21st pick in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. For nine years, Lynn Swann was a vital player with the Steelers as they won four Super Bowls. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1974, Pro Bowl in 1976, 1978, 1979, MVP of Super Bowl X in 1976, and was selected NFL Man of the Year in 1981.
Broadcasting Career:
Lynn Swann began his broadcasting career in 1976 while still active with the Pittsburgh Steelers and moved to a full-time broadcasting career with ABC Sports upon his pro-football retirement in January 1983. Lynn Swann has covered plenty of College and Monday Night Football, of course, as well as serving as host, reporter and analyst for events such as the 1984 Summer Olympics and 1988 Winter Games; the Iditarod sled dog race; the Kentucky Derby and Wide World of Sports.
Spokesman, Politician and Motivational Speaker:
Since 1980, Lynn Swann has been the National Spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, as well as serving on their National Board of Directors. Lynn Swann also served as chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from June 20, 2002 to July 30, 2005, and provided money for over 100 scholarships to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School.
Awards & Recognition:
Lynn Swann received many honors and awards during his professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including Super Bowl MVP of Super Bowl X in 1976. He was inducted into the Pro-Footbal Hall of Fame in 2001.
Early Years:
Lynn Curtis Swann was born on March 7, 1952, in Alcoa, Tennessee.
His father, Willie, was an aircraft maintenance worker and his mother, Mildred worked as a dental hygienist. When Lynn Swann was 2, his family moved to San Mateo, California, where Lynn Swann studied dance - including ballet, modern dance and tap - from the age of four until his senior year in high school. Lynn often says that his mother's insistence on the dance training is what made him such a good athlete.
At the Catholic all-boys Junipero Serra High School, Lynn Swann also discovered an aptitude for sports, setting the school record for the long jump, playing on the basketball team and setting records on the football team, as both wide reciever and quarterback.
After earning high-school All-America honors, Lynn Swann accepted a scholarship to the University of Southern California (USC). There he played in two Rose Bowls, helped the Trojans win the 1972 national championship, and was elected team captain and most valuable player (MVP) in 1973. He graduated from the USC School of Journalism with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, and was still dancing.
Pro Football Career - Pittsburgh Steelers:
Lynn Swann was selected as an All-American, and was drafted as the 21st pick in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. For nine years, Lynn Swann was a vital player with the Steelers as they won four Super Bowls. He was named to the All-Rookie Team in 1974, Pro Bowl in 1976, 1978, 1979, MVP of Super Bowl X in 1976, and was selected NFL Man of the Year in 1981.
Broadcasting Career:
Lynn Swann began his broadcasting career in 1976 while still active with the Pittsburgh Steelers and moved to a full-time broadcasting career with ABC Sports upon his pro-football retirement in January 1983. Lynn Swann has covered plenty of College and Monday Night Football, of course, as well as serving as host, reporter and analyst for events such as the 1984 Summer Olympics and 1988 Winter Games; the Iditarod sled dog race; the Kentucky Derby and Wide World of Sports.
Spokesman, Politician and Motivational Speaker:
Since 1980, Lynn Swann has been the National Spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, as well as serving on their National Board of Directors. Lynn Swann also served as chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from June 20, 2002 to July 30, 2005, and provided money for over 100 scholarships to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School.
Awards & Recognition:
Lynn Swann received many honors and awards during his professional football career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including Super Bowl MVP of Super Bowl X in 1976. He was inducted into the Pro-Footbal Hall of Fame in 2001.
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