Pat Swilling was a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He was born on October 25, 1964, in Toccoa, Georgia, and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played college football for the Yellow Jackets.
Swilling was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1986 NFL Draft. He played for the Saints from 1986 to 1992 and was a key member of the team's "Dome Patrol" defense, which was one of the most dominant defenses in NFL history. Swilling was a four-time Pro Bowler during his time with the Saints and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1991 after recording 17 sacks.
In 1993, Swilling was traded to the Detroit Lions, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the Oakland Raiders in 1995 before finishing his career with the Arizona Cardinals from 1996 to 1998.
Swilling was known for his speed and agility as a linebacker and was a feared pass rusher. He finished his career with 107.5 sacks, which ranks him 28th on the NFL's all-time list. He was also a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection and was named to the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 1990s.
Off the field, Swilling was involved in several business ventures, including a car dealership and a restaurant. He also served as a color commentator for NFL games on television.
In recent years, Swilling has been involved in several legal issues, including a 2014 arrest for domestic violence and a 2016 arrest for driving under the influence. He has also been involved in a lawsuit against the NFL over concussions suffered during his playing career.
Despite these issues, Swilling remains a beloved figure among Saints fans and is considered one of the greatest players in the team's history. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2000 and was named to the team's 50th Anniversary Team in 2016.
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