Lynn Swann
{{Short description|American football player and politician (born 1952)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Lynn Swann
| image = Lynn Swann official photo.jpg
| caption = Swann in 2005
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1952|3|7}}
| birth_place = Alcoa, Tennessee, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| number = 88
| position = Wide receiver
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 180
| high_school = Junípero Serra
(San Mateo, California)
| college = USC (1970–1973)
| draftyear = 1974
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 21
| pastteams =
| pastadmin =
- Pittsburgh Power ({{AFL Year|2011}}–{{AFL Year|2014}})
Co-owner - USC (2016–2019)
Athletic director
| highlights =
- 4× Super Bowl champion (IX, X, XIII, XIV)
- Super Bowl MVP (X)
- NFL Man of the Year (1981)
- First-team All-Pro (1978)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1975, 1977)
- 3× Pro Bowl (1975, 1977, 1978)
- NFL receiving touchdowns co-leader (1975)
- NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
- PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team (1974)
- Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team
- Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor
- Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame
- National champion (1972)
- Consensus All-American (1973)
- Pop Warner Trophy (1973)
- First-team All-Pac-8 (1973)
| statlabel1 = Receptions
| statvalue1 = 336
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 5,462
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 51
| pfr = S/SwanLy00
| HOF = lynn-swann
| CollegeHOF = 1958
}}
Lynn Curtis Swann (born March 7, 1952) is an American former professional football player, broadcaster, politician, and athletic director, best known for his association with the University of Southern California and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He served on the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition from 2002 to 2005. In 2006, he was the Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania.
Swann was born in Alcoa, Tennessee. He attended USC and played football as a wide receiver of the USC Trojans, where he was a consensus All-American. He is regarded as one of the most popular and one of the greatest wide receivers of his generation. He was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft. With the Steelers, Swann won four Super Bowls, was selected to three Pro Bowls, and was named MVP of Super Bowl X. Swann was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.
Early life
Swann was born March 7, 1952, in Alcoa, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains near Knoxville.
The Swann family moved to San Mateo, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area when Lynn was 2.{{cite news |last1=Worden |first1=Amy |title=Lynn Swann: With star power and a storied life of successes, he makes first electoral bid |url=http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/15873264.htm |access-date=2019-12-16 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=29 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070111223849/http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/15873264.htm |archive-date=2007-01-11 |url-status=dead}} As a youth, Swann was raised in neighboring Foster City and attended Junípero Serra High School, where in addition to playing football, he was a track star, leaping {{height|ft=24|in=10}} in the long jump. Swann had also joined the basketball team and had an interest in ballet. His basketball teammate, Peter Barsocchini was aware of Swann's passion for ballet, which inspired him to write the High School Musical film, with Swann serving as an inspiration for the character of Troy Bolton.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Joe |date=2024-10-05 |title=How Lynn Swann Inspired A Disney Movie |url=https://steelersdepot.com/2024/10/how-lynn-swann-inspired-a-disney-movie/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Steelers Depot |language=en-US}}
At the 1970 CIF California State championship meet, Swann won the state title, defeating future Olympic gold medalist Randy Williams.{{cite web |url=https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/148523-cif-state-track-and-field-championships-1970/results/694007/formatted#.YzoN3HbMKUk |title=CIF State Track and Field Championships 1970 |website=ca.milesplit.com |access-date=October 2, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002221928/https://ca.milesplit.com/meets/148523-cif-state-track-and-field-championships-1970/results/694007/formatted |archive-date=October 2, 2022}}
College career
Swann attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he was a consensus All-American on the Trojan football team under head coach John McKay, including the undefeated and national champion 1972 team. McKay said of Swann, "He has speed, soft hands, and grace."{{College Football HoF|id=1958}} He completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree in public relations in 1974.
In 1971, Swann had 27 catches for 305 yards and two touchdowns. He led USC in catches and finished second to WR Edesel Garrison in receiving yards. As a junior in 1972, Swann rushed for 117 yards and had 27 catches for 543 yards and three touchdowns. This time, he led USC in receiving yards and finished second to tight end Charle Young in catches. In 1973, Swann rushed for 99 yards while catching 42 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns.
Professional career
Swann was selected in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 21st overall pick.{{Cite web |title=1974 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1974/draft.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} The Steelers draft class of '74 is considered one of the best in NFL history and includes four Hall of Famers: Swann, Jack Lambert (RD2), John Stallworth (RD4), and Mike Webster (RD5). Undrafted 1974 free agent signee Donnie Shell is also a hall of famer.{{cite web | last=Labriola | first=Bob | title=Steelers' 1974 draft class still the gold standard | website=Steelers.com | date=2024-04-24 | url=https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-1974-draft-class-still-the-gold-standard | access-date=2024-10-31}}
Swann spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers and wore the jersey number 88. As a rookie in 1974, he led the NFL with 577 punt-return yards, a franchise record and the fourth-most in NFL history at the time.{{Cite web |title=1974 NFL Kick & Punt Returns |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1974/returns.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |title=1974 NFL All-Rookie Team |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/nfl-all-rookie-1974.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He went on to win a championship ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl IX, but did not record any receptions in the tough defensive struggle (Pittsburgh quarterback Terry Bradshaw completed only nine passes in the game). However, he returned three punts for 34 yards.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl IX - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings - January 12th, 1975 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197501120min.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
File:LynnSwann-McCainRallyWashingtonPA2008.jpg]]
The following season became the highlight of Swann's career. He caught 49 passes for 781 yards and a league-leading 11 touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Lynn Swann 1975 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SwanLy00/gamelog/1975/ |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1975 NFL Receiving |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1975/receiving.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In the AFC title game against the Oakland Raiders, George Atkinson knocked Swann out of the game with a very hard but legal hit. He suffered a severe concussion that forced him to spend two days in a hospital, but surprised many by returning to play for Super Bowl X. Swann recorded four catches for a Super Bowl-record 161 yards and a touchdown in the game, assisting the Steelers to a 21–17 win over the Dallas Cowboys and became the first wide receiver to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl X - Dallas Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - January 18th, 1976 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197601180dal.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Winners |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/super-bowl-mvp-award.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
File:Swann In Philly 08.25.2006.jpg
Three seasons later, in 1978, the Steelers made it to Super Bowl XIII. In the game, Swann caught seven passes for 124 yards and scored the final touchdown for Pittsburgh in their 35–31 win over Dallas.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XIII - Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys - January 21st, 1979 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197901210dal.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
The Steelers made it back to the Super Bowl again in the 1979 season, and Swann caught five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown at the Rose Bowl in Pittsburgh's 31–19 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XIV - Los Angeles Rams vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - January 20th, 1980 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198001200pit.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, Swann gained 364 receiving yards and 398 all-purpose yards in his four Super Bowls, which were both Super Bowl records at the time.
Swann retired after the 1982 season with four Super Bowl rings. In his nine-year career, he amassed 336 career receptions for 5,462 yards and 51 touchdowns, 72 rushing yards on 11 attempts and a touchdown, and 739 punt return yards and a touchdown. He was a Pro Bowl selection three times (1975, 1977, 1978), and was selected to the 1970s All-Decade Team.{{Cite web |title=1975 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1975/probowl.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1977 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1977/probowl.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=1978 NFL Pro Bowlers |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1978/probowl.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Teams - 1970s |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/awards/pfhof_all_decade_1970.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
Swann was unique among football players in that he credited his experiences in dance earlier in life with contributing to his aptitude on the football field. A 1981 interview which aired on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood showed him on the field, and then in the Pittsburgh dance studio where he later underwrote scholarships.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/Competition-Football-All-Star-Practices-Ballet/dp/B004C51SN2 |title=Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Volume 2: Amazon Digital Services LLC |website=Amazon |access-date=March 18, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218063357/https://www.amazon.com/Competition-Football-All-Star-Practices-Ballet/dp/B004C51SN2 |url-status=live }}
Swann was named to the All-Pro team in 1975, 1977, and 1978, and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in {{nfly|2001}}, a year before his teammate John Stallworth.{{Cite web |title=1978 NFL All-Pros |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1978/allpro.htm |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=NFL statistics=
class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed" |
colspan="2"|Legend |
---|
style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the Super Bowl |
style="background:#FFFF00; width:3em;"| |
Bold
| Career high |
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||
Year | Team | GP | Rec | Yards | Avg | TD |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1974 ||style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|PIT
| 12 || 11 || 208 || 18.9 || 2 | ||||||
style="background:#FFFF00; width:3em;"|1975 ||style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|PIT
| 14 || 49 || 781 || 15.9 || 11 | ||||||
1976 ||PIT
| 12 || 28 || 516 || 18.4 || 3 | ||||||
1977||PIT
| 14 || 50 || 789 || 15.8 || 7 | ||||||
1978 ||style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|PIT
| 16 || 61 || 880 || 14.4 || 11 | ||||||
1979 ||style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|PIT
| 13 || 41 || 808 || 19.7 || 5 | ||||||
1980 ||PIT
| 13 || 44 || 710 || 16.1 || 7 | ||||||
1981 ||PIT
| 13 || 34 || 505 || 14.9 || 5 | ||||||
1982 ||PIT
| 9 || 18 || 265 || 14.7 || 0 | ||||||
colspan="2"| Career{{cite web|title=Lynn Swann Stats|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/lynnswann/2526890/profile|website=NFL site|publisher=NFL Player|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619063443/http://www.nfl.com/player/lynnswann/2526890/profile|url-status=live}} ||116 || 336 || 5,462 || 16.3 || 51 |
After football
File:David Petraeus, Lynn Swann, Roger Craig, John Elway, Roger Goodell at Super Bowl 43.jpg with Roger Craig, Roger Goodell, John Elway, and General David Petraeus]]
Swann went on to serve as a director on the boards of H J Heinz Co., Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and Wyndham International. He was a football and sports broadcaster for ABC Sports from 1976 to 2006, but left to run for Pennsylvania governor.
Swann briefly hosted the television game show To Tell the Truth, on which he had previously appeared as a panelist before replacing original host Gordon Elliott, on NBC from 1990 to 1991. His 14-week run as emcee ended, and he was replaced by Alex Trebek. He made guest appearances on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, where he explained his enthusiasm for ballet,{{cite web
|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0649653/
|title=1484: Competition
|website=IMDB
|access-date=September 30, 2017
|quote=Mister Rogers visits a dance studio where football great Lynn Swann shows his football uniform and how he dances ballet.
|archive-date=February 9, 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209204253/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0649653/
|url-status=live
}} and The Paper Chase.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nns3qNlVqLI&list=PLEtwdb0nlBARyUWdIPMVYeurpeVoYrJ-u&index=19|title=The Paper Chase, Season 2, Episode 19: "Billy Pierce" (YouTube)|website=YouTube |access-date=November 15, 2017|archive-date=April 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424172834/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nns3qNlVqLI&list=PLEtwdb0nlBARyUWdIPMVYeurpeVoYrJ-u&index=19|url-status=live}}
During his time at ABC, Lynn Swann began his broadcasting career in 1976 while still active with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Upon retirement in January 1983, Swann began his career full-time with ABC Sports, which ended after the 2006 Sugar Bowl. Swann has broadcast a variety of events as a host, reporter, and analyst. Included in these events are:
- the 1976 Winter Olympics
- the 1976 Summer Olympics
- the 1980 Winter Olympics
- the 1984 Winter Olympics
- the 1984 Summer Olympics
- the 1988 Winter Olympics
- the Iditarod Trail sled dog race
- International Diving Championships
- USFL
- college football
- Monday Night Football
- the Kentucky Derby
- Preakness Stakes
- Belmont Stakes
- the Irish Derby
- ABC's Wide World of Sports
- Curt Gowdy's The American Sportsman
Swann was the sideline reporter on CBS' "Clash of Champions" bowling telecast that aired on May 10–11, 2008. He teamed with color analyst Nelson Burton Jr. and play-by-play man Bill Macatee. The broadcast marked bowling's return to network television for the first time since 1999 when CBS carried it.
In October 2009, Swann joined the Augusta National Golf Club. He is a dues-paying member of the home of the Masters golf tournament, which is held every April.
On August 19, 2010, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Swann would be a part of the ownership team for Pittsburgh's AFL expansion franchise, which began playing in the spring of 2011.{{cite news|title= Arena Football League coming to Pittsburgh|work= Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|date= August 19, 2010|url= http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_695496.html|access-date= August 19, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100822145450/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_695496.html|archive-date= August 22, 2010}} Named the Pittsburgh Power, the team shared the Consol Energy Center with the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. Swann has said that, despite his football experience, he does not interfere in the day-to-day coaching, although he would occasionally give some advice.{{cite web|last=Ward|first=Hines|title=Interview: Lynn Swann, Owner Pittsburgh Power, Steelers Wide Receiver, 1974–1982|url=http://pittsburghsportsdailybulletin.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/lynn-swann-owner-pittsburgh-power-steelers-wide-receiver-1974-1982/|publisher=Pittsburgh Sports Daily Bulletin|access-date=July 23, 2012|date=March 2, 2012|archive-date=October 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020181649/https://pittsburghsportsdailybulletin.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/lynn-swann-owner-pittsburgh-power-steelers-wide-receiver-1974-1982/|url-status=live}} The team folded in 2014.
Swann made an appearance, playing himself, in the role of a sideline reporter at the "Bourbon Bowl", in the 1998 Adam Sandler comedy feature film The Waterboy. He was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame on December 30, 2013, at the Pasadena Convention Center.
On April 13, 2016, Swann was named as the athletic director of the University of Southern California, succeeding retiring Pat Haden. He assumed the position on July 1, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041316aaa.html|title=Lynn Swann Named New USC Athletic Director - University of Southern California Official Athletic Site|publisher=Usctrojans.com|access-date=March 18, 2017|archive-date=February 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226085900/http://www.usctrojans.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041316aaa.html|url-status=live}} On September 9, 2019, Swann resigned as the USC AD.{{Cite news|last=Bonagura|first=Kyle|url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/27580320/swann-resigns-3-year-stint-trojans-ad|title=Swann resigns after 3-year stint as Trojans' AD|date=September 9, 2019|work=ESPN|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205001312/https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/27580320/swann-resigns-3-year-stint-trojans-ad|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/usc-athletic-director-lynn-swann-resigns-after-three-seasons-with-trojans-effective-immediately/|title=USC athletic director Lynn Swann resigns after three seasons with Trojans, effective immediately|date=September 9, 2019|publisher=CBS News|access-date=September 9, 2019|archive-date=September 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915085404/https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/usc-athletic-director-lynn-swann-resigns-after-three-seasons-with-trojans-effective-immediately/|url-status=live}}
Political career
=Physical Fitness and Sports Council chairman=
File:LynnSwann-circa2002.ogv]]
On June 20, 2002, President George W. Bush appointed Swann as the chairman of the United States President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports during a Fitness Expo at the White House.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MbYDAAAAMBAJ |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MbYDAAAAMBAJ/page/n45 46] |quote=Lynn Swann George Bush. |title=Jet |via=Internet Archive |date=July 22, 2002 |publisher=Johnson Publishing Company |access-date=March 18, 2017}} Swann succeeded Lee Haney, who had been appointed to the post by President Clinton.
In 2003, President Bush and Chairman Lynn Swann launched presidentschallenge.org at the Lakewest Family YMCA in Dallas, Texas. Within the next year, 300,000 individuals registered on the website. Swann spoke at the National Press Club about the council's programs to help Americans "Be Physically Active Every Day," and introduced the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award.
In 2004, Swann and President Bush declared May as an annual "National Physical Fitness and Sports" month, and created the annual HealthierUS Fitness Festival. They also enacted the Healthier Feds Physical Activity Challenge initiative for federal employees. On July 30, 2005, Lynn Swann retired as council chairman to explore a campaign for governor. He was succeeded by John P. Burke.
=2006 candidacy for governor=
{{Main|2006 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election}}
In December 2004, Swann, who resides in the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley Heights, Pennsylvania, indicated that he was considering seeking the Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2006 election. On February 23, 2005, Swann filed papers with the state elections board stating his intention to run. On the same day, he formed a fundraising committee called Team 88 after his Steeler jersey number. On January 4, 2006, Swann formally declared his candidacy.{{cite news | url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/lynn-swann-announces-pa-gubernatorial-bid | work=Fox News | title=Lynn Swann Announces Pa. Gubernatorial Bid | date=January 5, 2006 | access-date=January 10, 2009 | archive-date=April 14, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414013926/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,180607,00.html | url-status=live }}
Swann's opponents for the Republican primary had initially included Jim Panyard, State Senator Jeff Piccola and former Lieutenant Governor William Scranton, III. After Swann received the endorsement of the Republican state committee on February 11, all three opponents quit the race, leaving Swann as the only Republican to have filed by the deadline of March 7. Swann chose Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews as his running mate.
Polls in early February showed Swann and Ed Rendell in a statistical tie,{{Cite web|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_422413.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408042942/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_422413.html|url-status=dead|title=Rendell, Swann in dead heat - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|archivedate=April 8, 2008}} though Rendell had the advantage of being the popular incumbent.{{cite web |url=http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/50StateGov060518State.htm |title=50 State Governor 05/06 Sort By State |publisher=SurveyUSA |access-date=March 18, 2017 |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303171303/http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2006/50StateGov060518State.htm |url-status=live }} Swann's campaign focused on reforming Harrisburg by addressing mass transit, property tax, law enforcement, the environment and the growing concern of obesity. He also supported giving the Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh's lone slots license so they could build a new arena, free of taxpayer money.
Swann's momentum did not survive a barrage of advertising from Rendell in early spring, and had trouble keeping up with Rendell's effective fundraising.{{cite news | url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06312/736519-178.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Rendell cruises to 2nd term as governor | first1=Tom | last1=Barnes | first2=Dennis B. | last2=Roddy | date=November 8, 2006 | access-date=December 13, 2016 | archive-date=June 29, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629062735/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06312/736519-178.stm | url-status=live }} In the end, Swann lost the election with 40% of the vote to Rendell's 60%. Had Swann won, he would have been the first African American Governor of Pennsylvania and only the third African American elected governor of a state in U.S. history. Of the three Republican African American gubernatorial candidates in 2006, all three of them lost; Kenneth Blackwell lost in Ohio, and Randy Daniels lost in New York.
=2008 to present=
In 2008, Swann confirmed that he was considering running for the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district against Rep. Jason Altmire.{{Cite web |date=April 12, 2007 |title=88 in '08? |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/news/early-returns/2007/04/12/88-in-08/stories/200704120330 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116012023/http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/07102/777446-366.stm |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}} However, Swann did not file for the election and former congresswoman Melissa Hart won the Republican nomination unopposed and then lost to Altmire in the 2008 general election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dos.pa.gov:443/VotingElections/Pages/default.aspx|title=Voting & Elections|website=Pennsylvania Department of State|access-date=April 24, 2021|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422173535/https://www.dos.pa.gov/VotingElections/Pages/default.aspx|url-status=live}}
In the 2008 presidential election, Swann endorsed and campaigned with Arizona Senator John McCain for the presidency, though Swann had remained neutral through the primaries. In 2012, he did the same for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, once Romney had become the presumptive Republican nominee.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/olympians-and-other-athletes-playing-politics/17/ |title=Lynn Swann endorses Mitt Romney - Olympians and other athletes playing politics - Pictures |date=July 27, 2012 |publisher=CBS News |access-date=March 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101220318/https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/olympians-and-other-athletes-playing-politics/17/ |url-status=live }}
In 2015, before the primary elections, Swann announced his support of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, while also criticizing Donald Trump.{{cite web |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-nfl-player-lynn-swann-endorses-jeb-bush-for-president/ |title=Former NFL player Lynn Swann endorses Jeb Bush for president |publisher=CBS News |date=October 1, 2015 |access-date=March 18, 2017 |archive-date=June 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620083909/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/former-nfl-player-lynn-swann-endorses-jeb-bush-for-president/ |url-status=live }}
Personal life
On June 10, 1979, during the summer after winning Super Bowl XIII, Swann married Bernadette Robi, the daughter of singer Paul Robi of The Platters. The pair divorced in 1983.
On June 23, 1991, Swann married Charena (née Shaffer), a psychologist, and they have two sons who played football collegiately.{{Cite web |url=http://footballmatters.org/interview-with-usc-athletics-director-lynn-swann-imafootballplayer/ |title=Interview With USC Athletics Director Lynn Swann - Football Matters |access-date=February 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301010146/http://footballmatters.org/interview-with-usc-athletics-director-lynn-swann-imafootballplayer/ |archive-date=March 1, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Lynn Swann}}
- {{Profootballhof|id=208|name=Lynn Swann}}
- {{cfbhof|id=1958|name=Lynn Swann}}
- {{Footballstats |nfl=Lynn-Swann
|cfl= |afl= |espn= |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si= |pfr=S/SwanLy00 |rotoworld=}}
- {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061101201215/http://www.swannforgovernor.com/ |date=November 1, 2006 |title=2006 Swann for Governor campaign website }}
- {{IMDb name|id=0841712|name=Lynn Swann}}
- {{C-SPAN|966}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-media}}
{{s-bef|before=Gordon Elliott}}
{{s-ttl|title=Host of To Tell the Truth|years=1990–1991}}
{{s-aft|after=Alex Trebek}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=Lee Haney}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports|years=2002–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=John Burke}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=Mike Fisher}}
{{s-ttl|title=Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania|years=2006}}
{{s-aft|after=Tom Corbett}}
{{s-end}}
{{Navboxes
|list1 =
{{USC Trojans athletic director navbox}}
{{Pop Warner Trophy}}
{{1972 USC Trojans football navbox}}
{{1973 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1974 NFL Draft}}
{{SteelersFirstPick}}
{{Steelers1974DraftPicks}}
{{Walter Payton Man of the Year Award}}
{{Super Bowl IX}}
{{Super Bowl X}}
{{Super Bowl XIII}}
{{Super Bowl XIV}}
{{Super Bowl MVPs}}
{{NFL receiving touchdown leaders}}
{{NFL punt return yards leaders}}
{{NFL1970s}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers 50th season All-Time team}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team}}
{{Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor}}
{{2001 Football HOF}}
{{Pro Football Hall of Fame members}}
{{Walter Camp Man of the Year}}
}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swann, Lynn}}
Category:21st-century American politicians
Category:African-American Christians
Category:African-American college athletic directors in the United States
Category:African-American game show hosts
Category:African-American track and field athletes
Category:American male track and field athletes
Category:African-American people in Pennsylvania politics
Category:All-American college football players
Category:American athlete-politicians
Category:American Conference Pro Bowl players
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:American game show hosts
Category:American horse racing announcers
Category:American television reporters and correspondents
Category:American television sports announcers
Category:ArenaBowl broadcasters
Category:Arena football announcers
Category:Arena Football League executives
Category:Christians from California
Category:Christians from Pennsylvania
Category:Christians from Tennessee
Category:College football announcers
Category:College Football Hall of Fame inductees
Category:Junípero Serra High School (San Mateo, California) alumni
Category:Olympic Games broadcasters
Category:Pennsylvania Republicans
Category:People from Alcoa, Tennessee
Category:Sportspeople from Blount County, Tennessee
Category:People from Foster City, California
Category:Players of American football from San Mateo, California
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Players of American football from Pittsburgh
Category:Players of American football from Tennessee
Category:Politicians from Pittsburgh
Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees
Category:Track and field athletes from California
Category:Track and field athletes from Pennsylvania
Category:Track and field athletes from Tennessee
Category:United States Football League announcers
Category:USC Trojans athletic directors
Category:USC Trojans football players