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Richard Thomas Swatland (October 8, 1945 – April 9, 2022) was an American football guard who played one season in the American Football League (AFL) for the Houston Oilers. He played college football at Notre Dame and was selected in the 8th round (195th overall) of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. Swatland also spent time with the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL), the Washington Redskins and New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Early life and education

Swatland was born on October 8, 1945, in Stamford, Connecticut. He attended Stamford Catholic High School, where he was named all-state and All-American as a senior in 1963.

Swatland played college football at Notre Dame. As a freshman, he missed the entire football season. In his second year, Swatland became the team's starting right guard, though he could also play at left guard. In 1966, he was a starter on Notre Dame's undefeated national championship team. As a senior in 1967, Swatland was named second-team All-American by the Central Press Association.

Professional career

Swatland was selected in the 8th round (195th overall) of the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints. He signed a contract with the Saints in early June. He was released by the Saints in mid-August, but was recommended to play with their farm team, the Richmond Roadrunners.

Rather than play for the Roadrunners, Swatland signed a practice squad contract with the Houston Oilers along with Jim LeMoine. He was later promoted to the active roster to be the backup to Tom Regner, one of his teammates at Notre Dame. Overall, Swatland appeared in four games in the 1968 season, starting none. He wore number 64 with the Oilers.

Despite being "almost assured of a job" after Sonny Bishop retired, Swatland was released as part of the final roster cuts in 1969. On October 6, it was announced that he had joined the Bridgeport Jets of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL).

In 1970, Swatland was signed by the Washington Redskins, but did not make their final roster.

In 1971, Swatland signed with the New England Patriots, but was placed on the injury waiver list and was released in August.

After being released by the Patriots, Swatland signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL), but quit midseason. "On my way home I stopped at Niagara Falls and threw my spikes over the falls. I had enough," he later said.

Later life and death

Swatland later became a real estate lawyer. He died on April 9, 2022, at the age of 76.

References

1. "Dick Swatland Stats". Pro Football Archives.
2. ^ "Bridgeport Jets Sign Lineman Dick Swatland". The Bridgeport Post. October 7, 1969. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
3. Doyle, Joe (November 22, 1967). "13 N.D. Seniors Await Final Game". The South Bend Tribune. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
4. Doyle, Joe (October 19, 1965). "Irish Defense Faces Busy Week Getting Ready for Trojan Runs". The South Bend Tribune. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
5. ^ Rothenberg, Fred (December 13, 1979). "A Look at the 1966 Notre Dame Offense Today: Some Made it to the Pros, Others Didn't Bother Trying". Lancaster New Era. Associated Press. p. 69, 73 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Johns, Walter L. (November 28, 1967). "West Coast Dominates All-American". The Circleville Herald. Central Press Association. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "1968 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
8. "Dick Swatland To Join Saints". The South Bend Tribune. June 2, 1968. p. 37 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Cowboys Receive Saints' Simmons". The Springfield News-Leader. Associated Press. August 25, 1968. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Houston Adds Cab Squad Duo". The Bangor Daily News. United Press International. September 9, 1968. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Regner might switch guards". Kenosha News. November 23, 1968. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
12. ^ "Richard Swatland Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
13. "Dick Swatland Cut By Houston Oilers". Del Rio News Herald. United Press International. September 10, 1969. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Waivers Asked On Vet Rutgens". The Montgomery Advertiser. Associated Press. August 6, 1970. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
15. Fitzgerald, Ray (August 6, 1971). "For Pats, a quiet day; Superfoot taxied away". The Boston Globe. p. 21, 26 – via Newspapers.com.
16. Levett, Bruce (September 25, 1971). "Quarterbacks are big questions at Toronto". The Leader-Post. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
17. Kaufman, Richard (April 11, 2022). "Obituary: Richard T. Swatland, 76, Of Stamford". Patch.

• 1945 births
• 2022 deaths
• American football offensive guards
• Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players
• New Orleans Saints players
• Houston Oilers players
• Atlantic Coast Football League players
• Washington Redskins players
• New England Patriots players
• Hamilton Tiger-Cats players
• Sportspeople from Stamford, Connecticut
• Players of American football from Fairfield County, Connecticut
• Connecticut lawyers