Szymanski was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the second round of the 1955 NFL Draft. He played for the Colts from 1955 to 1962, during which time he was a key member of the team's offensive line. He helped the Colts win two NFL championships in 1958 and 1959 and was named to the Pro Bowl four times.
In 1963, Szymanski was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for four seasons. He was again named to the Pro Bowl in 1964 and helped the Eagles win the NFL championship in 1960.
Szymanski finished his career with the Washington Redskins, where he played for three seasons from 1967 to 1969. He retired from football after the 1969 season.
Throughout his career, Szymanski was known for his toughness and durability. He played in 162 NFL games, starting in 157 of them. He was also known for his leadership and was often called upon to make the line calls for his team.
After retiring from football, Szymanski worked as a sales representative for a sporting goods company. He also served as a color commentator for Notre Dame football games on radio.
Szymanski was inducted into the University of Notre Dame Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984. He passed away on July 6, 2012, at the age of 79.
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