Eric Swann
Encyclopedia
Eric Jerrod Swann is a former professional American football
player who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals
in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft
. A 6'5", 317 lbs. defensive tackle, Swann never attended college and was actually drafted from a semi-pro football team called the Bay State Titans located in Lynn, Massachusetts
. He played in ten NFL
seasons from 1991–2000 for the Cardinals and Carolina Panthers
.
, but was ruled academically ineligible. Rather than enrolling at NC State as a Proposition 48
student, Swann instead opted to attend Wake Technical Community College
. In 1990, he left Wake Technical to join the semi-pro Bay State Titans in Lynn, Massachusetts
with a $5 an hour salary.
in 1994.
In 1998, Swann re-signed with the Cardinals for a five-year, $25 million contract with a $7.5 million signing bonus. At that point in time, it was the richest contract ever signed by a Cardinals player in the history of the franchise. Because he was recovering from knee surgeries, Swann did not practice with the Cardinals in the 1999 training camp period. In 1999, he played nine games and had four sacks and a 42-yard interception.
The Cardinals waived Swann on July 11, 2000. Two weeks later, he signed a one-year, veterans' minimum deal with the Carolina Panthers
along with Reggie White
.
Eric Swann agreed in 2007 to play for the Hudson Valley Saints, who are a member of the North American Football League.
Eric Swann was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame 1998
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player who was selected by the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft
1991 NFL Draft
The 1991 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 21–22, 1991 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan, New York...
. A 6'5", 317 lbs. defensive tackle, Swann never attended college and was actually drafted from a semi-pro football team called the Bay State Titans located in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
. He played in ten NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
seasons from 1991–2000 for the Cardinals and Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
.
High School
Swann played high school football at Western Harnett High School and graduated in 1989. During his high school years, he was state runner-up in shot-put and discus throwing, recording distances of 54' 02" and 152' 06", respectively.Semi-Pro Career
Swann was bound for North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, coeducational, extensive research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. Commonly known as NC State, the university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a land, sea, and space grant institution...
, but was ruled academically ineligible. Rather than enrolling at NC State as a Proposition 48
Proposition 48 (NCAA)
Proposition 48 is an NCAA regulation that stipulates minimum high school grades and standardized test scores that student-athletes must meet in order to participate in college athletic competition.As of 2010, the regulation is as follows:...
student, Swann instead opted to attend Wake Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College
Wake Technical Community College, commonly known as Wake Tech, is a two-year accredited institution of higher education and technical training school. Its main campus is located approximately five miles south of Raleigh, North Carolina, near McCullers Crossroads. It also operates several branch...
. In 1990, he left Wake Technical to join the semi-pro Bay State Titans in Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn, Massachusetts
Lynn is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 89,050 at the 2000 census. An old industrial center, Lynn is home to Lynn Beach and Lynn Heritage State Park and is about north of downtown Boston.-17th century:...
with a $5 an hour salary.
Professional Career
On April 24, 1991, Swann signed a five-year contract with the Phoenix Cardinals; the team became the Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1994.
In 1998, Swann re-signed with the Cardinals for a five-year, $25 million contract with a $7.5 million signing bonus. At that point in time, it was the richest contract ever signed by a Cardinals player in the history of the franchise. Because he was recovering from knee surgeries, Swann did not practice with the Cardinals in the 1999 training camp period. In 1999, he played nine games and had four sacks and a 42-yard interception.
The Cardinals waived Swann on July 11, 2000. Two weeks later, he signed a one-year, veterans' minimum deal with the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
along with Reggie White
Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White was a professional American football player. He played 15 seasons as a defensive end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history...
.
Eric Swann agreed in 2007 to play for the Hudson Valley Saints, who are a member of the North American Football League.
Eric Swann was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame 1998