Steelers top 30 moments in franchise history

Ballerina or football player?

Apr 6, 2014; Augusta, GA, USA; NFL hall of famer Lynn Swann during a practice round for the 2014 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers had a legendary draft in 1974 selecting four players that would end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For their first pick in the 1974 NFL Draft the Steelers selected wide receiver Lynn Swann out of the University of Southern California.

Swann spent his entire career from 1974-1982 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the highlight of his career came in the 1975 season. Swann caught 49 passes for 781 yards and 11 touchdowns that year. In the AFC Championship game he was knocked out by Oakland Raiders George Atkinson and spent two days in the hospital with a severe concussion.

In spite of the injury Swann returned to the Steelers to play in Super Bowl X where he had four receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown in the 21-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, becoming the first wide receiver to earn Super Bowl MVP honors.

Swann’s most memorable catch wasn’t a touchdown reception but is still rated as one of the best catches in NFL history. The Steelers had a 3

rd

and 6 at their own 10-yard line and Bradshaw released the ball towards midfield. Swann jumped into the air over Cowboys cornerback

, who tipped the ball as he fell to the ground.

Swann kept his eyes on the prize throughout the catch and snatched the ball into his clutches as he fell to the ground as well. Another one of those plays that was made for slow-motion replay.

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