Steelers Legendary WR Lynn Swann And His '70s Teammates Inspired An Unlikely Rookie To Become Football Royalty

The Pittsburgh Steelers of the 1970s were truly legendary teams. While other organizations had some good or even great players, the Steelers seemed to have someone at every position. But the days of Jack Lambert, Terry Bradshaw, Mike Webster, and Franco Harris were winding down as we moved into a new decade, giving way to a new NFL with new up-and-coming legends. This included Joe Montana, Lawrence Taylor, Dan Marino, and Jerry Rice to name a few.

Wide receiver Lynn Swann was one of those players on the cusp of the '70s and early '80s teams. Swann, who came out of USC, was the first selection in that legendary 1974 Steelers draft class in round one for Pittsburgh. Swann had an exceptional career, helping the Steelers win four Super Bowls and was named the Super Bowl MVP of Super Bowl X. He was the NFL Man of the Year in 1981 and went to three Pro Bowls. He is considered one of the best wide receivers of all-time, having amassed 5,462 receiving yards and 51 touchdowns during his nine years in the Steel City. Swann was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

Swann may not have known it then, but he made a huge impression on a young player at his old alma mater, Ronnie Lott. Lott, who later played safety for the San Francisco 49ers, didn't care that Swann played offense, not defense. It was how he played that made an impression. In his book Their Life's Work, author Gary Pomerantz described Swann's unexpected impact on a young defender. 

It started when Lott was only 13, and he saw Harris catch the Immaculate Reception. That play became a catalyst for change in his life. He shifted his fascination from Jack Tatum and the then-Oakland Raiders, to the men in Black and Gold. Even at such a young age, he recognized that for the Steelers, it was about more than individual success; it was about a brotherhood. 

It isn't surprising that Lott, who grew up in Rialto, California, chose to play for USC and Head Coach John Robinson. Robinson would regale his players with stories about Swann, who played there from 1970-1973. Robinson knew that Lott had the physical characteristics needed to be great, but would also need a fire in his belly. 

"Lott listened closely as Coach John Robinson told him about one of those Steelers, Lynn Swann, and the former Trojans' outsize competitiveness. 'Lynn would go anywhere on the field here to catch the ball. He would actually get up the goalpost--and get to the top of the goalpost--to catch the ball,' Robinson said. Lott imagined Swann leaping into the sky, over airplanes and cumulus clouds," wrote Pomerantz. "'Ronnie, if you are going to be like Lynn,' Robinson said, 'not only do you need the desire, you need the competitive spirit.'"

Lott never forgot that lesson and worked hard to emulate Swann's dedication. When he finally made it to the NFL and played the Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium in 1981, it was a surreal experience. Swann was injured in that game, but he knew that Lott was a fellow Trojan, and according to Pomerantz, he went up to him to greet him during warmups. Lott was so starstruck, he couldn't speak. 

Pomerantz said that this was akin to playing Bill Russell's Boston Celtics or the 1927 New York Yankees to Lott. Lott couldn't believe all these incredible players in Pittsburgh surrounded him. 

"They were one of the greatest assemblages of talent the sport had ever known. Lott studied the history of football. He cared about it, and hoped that one day he would find his own special place in it. He was acutely observant, on and off the field. He noticed small details. As a rookie at Three Rivers Stadium, he looked across the field and saw [Joe] Greene, Lambert, [Mel] Blount, Harris, and Donnie Shell. He noticed the way they had entered through the tunnel, and how they carried themselves on the field, with a certain pride and swagger."

He'd seen how the men banded together in a brotherhood and how "The Chief," Art Rooney Sr., seemed to "let the players in," giving them hugs and being a part of the group. Lott was so impressed, he said it felt like he was among royalty, thinking maybe he should bow toward their sideline. 

Pomerantz said Lott felt football could be compared to the Pantheon. The Green Bay Packers created the foundation, but the Steelers were the pillars that held it all up. Lott and the 49ers beat the Steelers that day, 17-14. They would go on to win their first Super Bowl at the end of that season. Lott went to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, high praise for a rookie. He found himself with his teammates, living a dream life.   

"As Lott sat at a hotel bar with 49ers receiver Dwight Clark, small pineapples and plastic umbrellas in their tropical drinks, a waitress placed two more drinks on their table. 'Where did these come from,' Lott asked. With a wave of her hand, the waitress said, 'From those guys over there.' Lott looked at a far table and saw several Steelers: Lambert, [Jack] Ham, Donnie Shell, and [Mike] Webster. To Lott, this was a great and humbling gesture; four-time Super Bowl champions welcoming first-timers to their club, the 1970s passing a baton to the 1980s."

Lott called that moment in Hawaii his "first encounter with true greatness." He thought to himself, this is how champions behave. Pomerantz said he made eye contact with Lambert and nodded his thanks. It was his way of thanking the Steelers for more than just the drinks. Lott said he felt like he was the one who was royalty when Lambert nodded back. 

During his 14-year career in the NFL, Lott helped redefine greatness. He played in 192 games and made 1,146 combined tackles, 63 interceptions, 8.5 sacks, and 17 fumble recoveries. Lott helped San Francisco win their first four Super Bowls. He was selected to an incredible 10 Pro Bowls and was an eight-time First Team All-Pro. He led the league twice in interceptions and was enshrined in Canton in 2000.  

The Steelers vs. The 49ers

The Steelers and the 49ers have something in common: they both dominated Super Bowls for a decade. The Steelers ruled the 1970s, and the 49ers ruled the 80s, with each team boasting four Lombardi Trophies during those respective time periods. The Steelers now have six, tied with the New England Patriots for the most, while the 49ers have five, tied with the Dallas Cowboys for second. 

While the Steelers might have one more Lombardi, the 49ers have three more wins all-time. The two teams are 13-10 all-time, with San Francisco coming out on top. They played their first game in 1951, their last game in 2023, and the 49ers won both. The Steelers dominated the 49ers (and nearly everyone else) in the 1970s. The 49ers bounced back however, to win the game Lott recalled in 1981, but then San Francisco lost the next two in 1984 and 1987. 

Are you surprised that Lott was inspired by someone who played offense? Click to