Pat Swilling
COLLEGE: Georgia Tech
POSITION: Linebacker
BORN: October 25, 1964 in Toccoa, Georgia
JOINED SAINTS: NFL draft: 1986 / Round: 3 / Pick: 60
YEARS WITH SAINTS:1986–1992
Pat Swilling's Career Background
Pat Swilling played in 107 games in the Black and Gold and recorded 10 or more sacks in four of his seven seasons with the Saints. In 1989, he tallied 16.5 sacks. In 1990, Swilling had a career best 63 tackles, including 11 sacks.
The Saints captured their first-ever division title in 1991, winning the NFC West over the defending Super Bowl XXIV champion San Francisco 49ers. Swilling was a primary force in the success of the team. He led the NFL with 17 sacks, recorded 60 tackles, forced six fumbles, and was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Swilling was named first team All-Pro in 1991 and 1992 and made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 1989-1992. In his final season in New Orleans, Swilling recorded 10.5 sacks.
Swilling was an integral part of the first winning season and first period of success in the history of the New Orleans Saints. He started on the first four playoff teams in Saints' history in 1987, 1990, 1991 and 1992.
"Pat was an excellent player for us. He was a great all-around player, and he really excelled as a pass rusher – he was one of the best during his time in the league," said former Saints head coach Jim Mora.
Following his tenure in New Orleans, Swilling spent two years in Detroit and three in Oakland. He had 107.5 career sacks, tallied six interceptions and forced 36 fumbles. In 2000, Swilling was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. In 2009, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. And in 2019, Swilling was inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.
Pat Swilling's College Career
Collegiately, Swilling set the NCAA record for sacks in a game as member of the Ramblin' Wreck, with seven against North Carolina State. He also holds the Georgia Tech mark for sacks in a season (15). Voted first-team All-America in 1985, Swilling left Georgia Tech as the all-time sack leader (23) and now ranks 6th. He finished his career with 285 total tackles, the second-most in school history.
Pat Swilling's Career Honors
NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year - 1991
1st Team All-Pro - 1991, 1992
2nd Team All-Pro - 1989, 1990
Pro Bowl - 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame
Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame
1st Team All-American - 1985 (Georgia Tech)
College Football Hall of Fame
