Eric Swann facts for kids
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||||||||||
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| Born: | August 16, 1970 Pinehurst, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 317 lb (144 kg) | ||||||||||||||||
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| High school: | Western Harnett (Lillington, North Carolina) | ||||||||||||||||
| College: | Wake Tech (1989) | ||||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1991 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 | ||||||||||||||||
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Eric Jerrod Swann, born on August 16, 1970, is a former American football player. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). The Phoenix Cardinals picked him in the first round of the 1991 NFL draft. He was the sixth player chosen overall. Eric did not go to a four-year college. Instead, he was drafted from a semi-professional team called the Bay State Titans. He played in the NFL for 10 seasons, from 1991 to 2000. He played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers.
High School Years
Eric Swann played high school football at Western Harnett High School. This school is in Lillington, North Carolina. He finished high school in 1989. He was also a talented athlete in track and field. He placed second in the state for both shot-put and discus throwing.
Semi-Pro Football
Eric Swann was planning to go to North Carolina State University. However, he was not able to join because of academic rules. Instead of going to a four-year college, he left Wake Technical in 1990. He then joined a semi-professional team called the Bay State Titans. This team was in Lynn, Massachusetts. He earned $5 per hour playing for them.
Professional Football Career
The Phoenix Cardinals chose Eric Swann in the first round of the 1991 NFL draft. He was the sixth player picked overall. On April 24, 1991, Eric signed a five-year contract with the Phoenix Cardinals. In 1995 and 1996, Eric was named an NFL All-Pro player. He was also chosen for the NFC Pro Bowl team.
In 1998, Eric signed a new contract with the Cardinals. It was a five-year deal worth $25 million. He received a $7.5 million signing bonus. This was the biggest contract a Cardinals player had signed at that time. Eric was recovering from knee surgeries in 1999. Because of this, he did not practice with the Cardinals during training camp. In 1999, he played nine games. He recorded four sacks and made a 42-yard interception.
The Cardinals released Eric Swann on July 11, 2000. Two weeks later, he signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers. He joined the team along with another famous player, Reggie White. In 2007, Eric played for the Hudson Valley Saints. This team was part of the North American Football League.
Eric Swann was honored for his career in 1998. He was inducted into the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame.
