The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated the NFL during the 1970s, winning four Super Bowl trophies. In Super Bowl X, the Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 21-17. The Steelers were favored to win by seven points heading into the game. This victory, their second Super Bowl win, marked a turning point where many in the football world realized Pittsburgh was becoming a dynasty.
In that game, Steelers star wide receiver Lynn Swann stepped up and stole the show. Swann finished the Super Bowl with four receptions for 161 receiving yards and one touchdown. Recently, Swann joined legendary quarterback Peyton Manning on his show, featured on the Omaha Productions YouTube Channel.
Nowadays, winning the Super Bowl MVP is a major deal, but in 1976, when Swann won it, it didn’t lead to as much of ceremony as it does today. Manning asked Swann how he found out he had won the Super Bowl X MVP.
“Super Bowl 10, no, there was no stage and no trophy ceremony. I am in the locker room in a makeshift interview room and someone said, ‘How does it feel to be the MVP?’ That is how I found out.”
Manning joked that Steelers’ legendary quarterback Terry Bradshaw was furious when Swann won the Super Bowl MVP over him. While that may or may not have been true, Swann joined in the humor. Manning joked that he believes every quarterback should win the award.
“Well, every quarterback thinks it should have been him," Swann joked with Manning.
After Swann was named MVP, he was awarded an AMC Pacer X car. In a fun twist, Manning had even reunited Swann with a Pacer car during their time together.
Swann recounted how handy that car was at the time because the Steelers' team bus had actually left him behind at the field. He humorously detailed how the car saved him from being stranded, making the MVP award even more memorable.
“I needed that car right after the game because the team bus left me there. I was late doing interviews. I took the Pacer off the stand, drove it to the team party and drove it home. That was the first and only time I drove that Pacer.”
Swann showed up for the Steelers that day, but it wasn't the only big game he dominated. Swann shined again in Super Bowl XIII, securing seven catches for 124 receiving yards and one touchdown.
However, this time, the quarterback won the MVP award. Bradshaw was named Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XIII. Swann played in four Super Bowls during his career, winning all four. He recorded 16 catches for 364 yards and scored three touchdowns in those games.
Steelers' Lynn Swann And John Stallworth Dominated The NFL In The 70's
Swann played on one of the greatest teams in NFL history. The Steelers of the 1970s were dominant, and Swann was a significant factor in their success. He was part of a dynamic duo at wide receiver with John Stallworth. The two receivers made Bradshaw's job easier, as he knew he could throw the ball up and either Swann or Stallworth would make the play. Both wide receivers would go on to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Those 1970s Steelers teams were filled with all-time greats and Hall of Famers. They are responsible for making the Steelers one of the greatest organizations in all of sports. The story about how Swann was left at the stadium after winning the MVP is a hilarious and enduring anecdote in Steelers history.
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