Bill Swiacki: The Roar of the Lions

October 2, 1922 – Bill Swiacki was born and later played at Columbia University. Swiacki began his education at Holy Cross, but his service in the armed forces during World War II interrupted it.

He then enrolled at Columbia upon returning home to civilian life. The National Football Foundation notes Bill as the man who brought down Army, and rightfully so—in October 1947, the Army Black Knights football team entered Columbia University’s Baker Field with an unbelievable 37-game winning streak in tow. The game was hard-fought and close throughout, much closer than most expected it to be.

A little-known end for the Lions would make his mark in football history. It was late in the fourth quarter and Columbia quarterback Gene Rossides received the snap and dropped back, he fired a low fast ball that made most of the crowd groaned thinking that the bal was going skip off the turf when almost out of nowhere the long lanky fingers of Swiaki pled the ill fated ball out of the air just before it could touch the green grass and made the reception at the Army Three yard-line! Two plays later, the Lions punched the ball into the end zone and came away with the 21-20 victory, ending Army’s winning streak. Bill caught 9 passes, including one touchdown.

The National Football Foundation voted Bill Swiacki into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

Swiacki played five seasons as an end in the National Football League (NFL), first with the New York Giants (1948–1950) and then with the Detroit Lions (1951–1952). His career highlight came in 1952 when he helped the Lions win the NFL Championship. Swiacki retired from football in September 1953 to focus on his business interests in Southbridge, Massachusetts. Over his 59-game NFL career, he totaled 139 receptions for 1,883 yards and 18 touchdowns.

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