Monday's Birthday Shout-Out: Lynn Swann Goes Head Over Heels

Hall of Famer and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann was known for his feats of athleticism on the football field. So it stands to reason that he would have been a standout in that bastion of 1970s television - The Superstars.

Sporting a lopsided afro and a 'stache that would make the hippest hipster proud, Swann smoked a British track athlete named David Hemery - who looks a bit like former Monty Python cast member Eric Idle with a mustache.

Swann didn't win the competition that year (it went to a soccer player named Kyle Rote, Jr.) but NFL players had a pretty good run during the 28 years the show ran on American television, winning 13 times. Of course, Swann has gone on to television broadcasting and politics - including an unsuccessful run for Pennsylvania governor in 2008. 

Apparently not wanting to stray too far from football, he also has an ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Power of the revamped Arena Football League, who play their inaugural game on Friday against Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul. Word is, the Power's championship hopes are living on a prayer.

Okay, I'll stop now.

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