2005 Emcee - Lynn Swann
This year's Master of Ceremonies was born in Alcoa, Tennessee in 1952. He was the Pittsburgh Steelers' first round draft pick wide receiver in 1974. He caught the game-winning touchdown in the AFC Championship as a rookie. He became the starting receiver second season. Led NFL with 11 touchdown receptions. Was Most Valuable Player in Super Bowl X in 1976. He's known for graceful moves and tremendous leaping ability that led to superlative catches that highlighted his career. His career record: 336 receptions, 5,462 yards, 51 touchdowns. He was All Pro in 1975, 1977 and 1978. He played in three Pro Bowls.
At the time of his retirement from pro football, he was named to the All-NFL Team of the 1970s, held five Super Bowl records, including career receptions, career receiving yards, career touchdown receptions, yards in a game, and the highest punt return average in a game. In 1991 he was named to the NFL's Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team.
For nine seasons he performed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the time of his retirement, he was the Steelers career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions.
For nine seasons there was simply no such thing as a dropped pass. "I don't care if they only throw one pass to me the whole game," He once said. "I'll make sure that I catch that one." And as his legions of fans can attest, when he made one of his trademark spectacular game-winning catches, it was a thing of beauty. He was an impact player whose exciting play and career achievements earned him rave reviews and a permanent place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Pro football Hall of Fame wide receiver, Lynn Swann.
Lynn has been a fixture on ABC Sports' since 1976. One of the top sideline reporters in the business, his talents have been utilized on various "Wide World of Sports" segments, horse racing, halftime and sidelines of ABC's NFL "Monday Night Football," and other diverse events.
Away from work, Lynn is an active community volunteer. He is on several boards of directors and is a spokesperson for several national organizations. He has received numerous honors for outstanding service and contributions for the continued growth and development of our nation's young people. He has provided over 100 scholarships to the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School for children between the ages of 10 and 18.
Since 1980, Lynn has been the National Spokesman for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. He now serves on their National Board of Directors and was president of the national board from 1993 to 1995.
In June 2002, Lynn was selected by President Bush to chair the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
What happens to the youngest of three boys, whose name is Lynn, when his mother enrolls him in dance school as an eight year old child? What will people say?
"Maybe the most perfect wide receiver of his time." according to Howard Cosell - Monday Night Football, November, 1980. "...the Baryshnikov of football..." Curt Gowdy, Sr. - Super Bowl X, January, 1976.
