Lynn Swann (2005) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Lynn Swann

Induction:
2005
Class:
1974

Lynn Swann, who caught footballs with a balletic grace, was one of the finest wide receivers in collegiate and professional history. The 3-year (1971-72-73) letterman at USC was a consensus All-American as a 1973 senior. He led the Trojans in receiving in 1971 (27 catches) and 1973 (a Pac-8 best 42) and was Troy’s leading punt returner in all 3 of his seasons. In his career, he had 95 catches and 599 punt return yards. He was a member of USC’s 1972 national championship squad and played in the 1973 and 1974 Rose Bowls (he caught a touchdown in the 1973 game). He was Troy’s captain and MVP in 1973 when he was an All-Pac-8 first teamer and won the Pop Warner Award (given to the top senior on the West Coast). He was selected to play in the 1974 Hula Bowl, Senior Bowl, College All-Star Game and Coaches All-America Game. He then was a 1974 first round NFL draft pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he played for 9 seasons (1974-82). He appeared in Super Bowls IX, X, XII and XIV, earning MVP honors in Super Bowl X. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2013. He won the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 1999 and was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team in 2016. He then was a sports commentator for ABC before entering politics, and then was USC’s athletic director (2016-19).