Kevin Swayne
Encyclopedia
Kevin Swayne was an American football
wide receiver
for the New York Dragons
of the Arena Football League. In the past, he had played for Wayne State College
, the Iowa Barnstormers
(AFL), the Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins New York Jets
(NFL
) and the Orlando Rage
.
Swayne may be most famous for playing 52 straight weeks of professional football in 2001, he played in the NFL, AFL, and XFL
all in one year.
. He graduated from Banning High School after earning letters
in four sports: basketball
, track
, cross country
, and football
.
in California
, near his hometowns of Riverside and Banning. He played football
for Palomar, and led them to the 1993 National Junior Collegiate Championship.
, located in Nebraska
. He signed with them, and became a star for his two years there. Most notably, in a 1996 game (his senior year) against Drake University
, he caught a school-record 21 passes for 236 yards. His reception record ranks third all-time in Division II. He had a total of 144 career receptions for 2091 yards. He holds a single-season WSC record with 1273 receiving yards in his 1996 senior campaign and was named an Honorable Mention NCAA Division II All American. He was inducted into Wayne State's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.
in the 1997 NFL Draft
despite his record-setting performances the year before. He was, however, signed to the scout team
of the Chicago Bears
. He was never activated and was soon released. Swayne joined the Arena Football League's Iowa Barnstormers
in 1998, and was an immediate sensation. He was named the team MVP, was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team, and was given the AFL's "Don't Blink" award for being the League's most exciting player. He led the Barnstormers in points (96) as well as total yards (1,381). In his second season with the Barnstormers, Swayne again led the team in points, but his total was more than double his previous sum, with 206 points in that season alone. He once again led the team in yards (2074) as well as yards per game (148.1). He returned kicks for Iowa in 1999, and led the team with 484 kick return yards and two touchdowns. He accepted an offer to come play for the National Football League
's San Diego Chargers
. He never saw the field, though, as he was cut during training camp. During most of football's "off-season", Swayne was still playing. The now-defunct XFL
had been started by Vince McMahon
, and Swayne was eager to try out. He was given a spot on the Orlando Rage
. On February 4, 2002, Swayne caught a Jeff Brohm
pass to score the XFL's first touchdown. He was one of the Rage's stars that season, but would never play again in the league. Swayne also played in the Arena League for the newly-founded New York Dragons
which was really the Iowa Barnstormers moved to New York. . He set a new high in receiving yardage, with 1,890 to lead the team for the third straight season. He also set a record for TD receptions in one game, with seven against the Carolina Cobras
. However, his XFL and AFL success sparked bigger things for Swayne. The New York Jets
offered him a three-year contract, and he accepted. With the Jets, Swayne played in 15 games, starting
two, and caught 13 passes for 203 yards. He ranked third on the team in each of the last two categories, and had a generally productive season as the team's slot receiver
. He also had one reception for 15 yards in the Jets' playoff game against the Oakland Raiders
, which was lost 22-24. Swayne's third year with the Jets was arguably his best. Although his role with the team became diminished and he only caught two passes, one of those passes was the most important of his career. In a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans
on Monday Night Football
, Swayne caught a 27-yard strike for his only NFL touchdown (to date). That score was the deciding margin, as the Jets earned a seven-point win. Swayne caught a two-yard pass the next week for his last NFL catch. The Jets decided not to renew Swayne's contract, and let him go as a free agent
.
With his play in all three leagues, he became the first player in professional football history to play football for 12 consecutive months.
injury. In the season finale, however, his presence was felt with two touchdowns in a Dragons win. Swayne only played in six games, but still made an impact. He was fifth on the team in receiving yardage, and had 23 receptions for 11 touchdowns. He passed two important personal milestones on February 19, against the Nashville Kats
, scoring both his 100th touchdown and his 500th receiving yard. He scored 5 touchdowns, his season high, in this game as well.
, where he intends to remain. He and his wife, Jaime, have two children, Hannah and Ezekiel.
Swayne is an avid Christian
who often talks about how his mother taught him the importance of Jesus in his daily life.
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...
wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
of the Arena Football League. In the past, he had played for Wayne State College
Wayne State College
Wayne State College is a four-year public college in the Nebraska State College System in Wayne, Nebraska. The current enrollment is 3,571. The college opened as a State Normal School in 1910 after the State purchased the private Nebraska Normal College . The State Normal College became State...
, the Iowa Barnstormers
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
(AFL), the Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(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...
) and the Orlando Rage
Orlando Rage
-Statistical leaders:* Rushing yards: 387, Derrick Clark* Receiving yards: 659, Dialleo Burks* Passing yards: 998, Brian Kuklick-Awards:-Honors:...
.
Swayne may be most famous for playing 52 straight weeks of professional football in 2001, he played in the NFL, AFL, and XFL
XFL
The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE...
all in one year.
Early life
Although born in Sideriver, Swayne lived most of his early life in Banning, CaliforniaBanning, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Banning had a population of 29,603. The population density was 1,281.6 people per square mile . The racial makeup of Banning was 19,164 White, 2,165 African American, 641 Native American, 1,549 Asian, 39 Pacific Islander, 4,604 from other...
. He graduated from Banning High School after earning letters
Varsity letter
A varsity letter is an award earned in the United States for excellence in school activities. A varsity letter signifies that its winner was a qualified varsity team member, awarded after a certain standard was met.- Description :...
in four sports: basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, track
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
, cross country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
, and football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
.
Junior college
Kevin attended Palomar CollegePalomar College
Palomar College is a community college with one campus and six education sites in San Diego County, California. The main campus is located in San Marcos, while the six education sites are located elsewhere throughout north San Diego County. The largest of these is the education center located in...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, near his hometowns of Riverside and Banning. He played football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for Palomar, and led them to the 1993 National Junior Collegiate Championship.
Wayne State
In 1994, after his sophomore season at Palomar, Swayne's outstanding performance was noticed by Wayne State CollegeWayne State College
Wayne State College is a four-year public college in the Nebraska State College System in Wayne, Nebraska. The current enrollment is 3,571. The college opened as a State Normal School in 1910 after the State purchased the private Nebraska Normal College . The State Normal College became State...
, located in Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. He signed with them, and became a star for his two years there. Most notably, in a 1996 game (his senior year) against Drake University
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
, he caught a school-record 21 passes for 236 yards. His reception record ranks third all-time in Division II. He had a total of 144 career receptions for 2091 yards. He holds a single-season WSC record with 1273 receiving yards in his 1996 senior campaign and was named an Honorable Mention NCAA Division II All American. He was inducted into Wayne State's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002.
National Football League / XFL
Swayne went undraftedUndrafted
An undrafted sportsperson or undrafted free agent is specific type of sportsperson who plays, or attempts to play, in a professional sports league without first being selected in a draft....
in the 1997 NFL Draft
1997 NFL Draft
The 1997 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 19–20, 1997. No teams elected to claim any players in the supplemental draft that...
despite his record-setting performances the year before. He was, however, signed to the scout team
Scout team
In sports, the scout team, also referred to as a practice team, taxi squad, practice squad or practice roster, is a group of players on a team whose task is to emulate future opponents for the featured players. Frequently used in American or Canadian Football, these teams consist of less...
of the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was never activated and was soon released. Swayne joined the Arena Football League's Iowa Barnstormers
Iowa Barnstormers
The Iowa Barnstormers are an arena football team based in Des Moines, Iowa. They are currently members of the Arena Football League , which they joined in 2010 following the organization's restructuring...
in 1998, and was an immediate sensation. He was named the team MVP, was named to the AFL's All-Rookie team, and was given the AFL's "Don't Blink" award for being the League's most exciting player. He led the Barnstormers in points (96) as well as total yards (1,381). In his second season with the Barnstormers, Swayne again led the team in points, but his total was more than double his previous sum, with 206 points in that season alone. He once again led the team in yards (2074) as well as yards per game (148.1). He returned kicks for Iowa in 1999, and led the team with 484 kick return yards and two touchdowns. He accepted an offer to come play for the National Football League
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...
's San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He never saw the field, though, as he was cut during training camp. During most of football's "off-season", Swayne was still playing. The now-defunct XFL
XFL
The XFL was a professional American football league that played for one season in 2001. The league was founded by Vince McMahon, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of WWE...
had been started by Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
, and Swayne was eager to try out. He was given a spot on the Orlando Rage
Orlando Rage
-Statistical leaders:* Rushing yards: 387, Derrick Clark* Receiving yards: 659, Dialleo Burks* Passing yards: 998, Brian Kuklick-Awards:-Honors:...
. On February 4, 2002, Swayne caught a Jeff Brohm
Jeff Brohm
Jeffrey Scott Brohm is an Assistant Coach and the Quarterbacks Coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team...
pass to score the XFL's first touchdown. He was one of the Rage's stars that season, but would never play again in the league. Swayne also played in the Arena League for the newly-founded New York Dragons
New York Dragons
The New York Dragons were an Arena Football League team based in the New York metropolitan area. The team was founded in as the original incarnation of the Iowa Barnstormers, and relocated to New York in . They played in New York until 2008, when the league folded...
which was really the Iowa Barnstormers moved to New York. . He set a new high in receiving yardage, with 1,890 to lead the team for the third straight season. He also set a record for TD receptions in one game, with seven against the Carolina Cobras
Carolina Cobras
Not to be confused with the Los Angeles Cobras, who played in the 1988 AFL season.The Carolina Cobras were an expansion franchise in the Arena Football League...
. However, his XFL and AFL success sparked bigger things for Swayne. The New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
offered him a three-year contract, and he accepted. With the Jets, Swayne played in 15 games, starting
Starting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
two, and caught 13 passes for 203 yards. He ranked third on the team in each of the last two categories, and had a generally productive season as the team's slot receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
. He also had one reception for 15 yards in the Jets' playoff game against the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, which was lost 22-24. Swayne's third year with the Jets was arguably his best. Although his role with the team became diminished and he only caught two passes, one of those passes was the most important of his career. In a 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
on Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football
Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
, Swayne caught a 27-yard strike for his only NFL touchdown (to date). That score was the deciding margin, as the Jets earned a seven-point win. Swayne caught a two-yard pass the next week for his last NFL catch. The Jets decided not to renew Swayne's contract, and let him go as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
With his play in all three leagues, he became the first player in professional football history to play football for 12 consecutive months.
Arena Football League
In his first action with the Dragons since 2001, Swayne was welcomed back. Unfortunately, after a successful first-week return, Swayne missed the next six games with a hamstringHamstring
In human anatomy, the hamstring refers to any one of the three posterior thigh muscles, or to the tendons that make up the borders of the space behind the knee. In modern anatomical contexts, however, they usually refer to the posterior thigh muscles, or the tendons of the semitendinosus, the...
injury. In the season finale, however, his presence was felt with two touchdowns in a Dragons win. Swayne only played in six games, but still made an impact. He was fifth on the team in receiving yardage, and had 23 receptions for 11 touchdowns. He passed two important personal milestones on February 19, against the Nashville Kats
Nashville Kats
The Nashville Kats were an Arena Football League team, located in Nashville, Tennessee. They were last coached by Pat Sperduto, who coached the team's original incarnation to two ArenaBowl appearances prior to the original franchise's move to Atlanta in 2002...
, scoring both his 100th touchdown and his 500th receiving yard. He scored 5 touchdowns, his season high, in this game as well.
Personal life
Swayne plays and lives in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he intends to remain. He and his wife, Jaime, have two children, Hannah and Ezekiel.
Swayne is an avid Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
who often talks about how his mother taught him the importance of Jesus in his daily life.
External links
- New York Dragons player profile
- Stats at ArenaFan
- Profile at NFL.comNational Football LeagueThe 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...