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Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Doug Swift proved you don’t have to attend a big-time college football powerhouse to have a successful NFL career. In fact, you don’t have to get drafted. In 1970, Swift showed up at Dolphins training camp at Biscayne College as a complete unknown from tiny Amherst College, a school more known for producing doctors than football players. Not only did Swift make the team, he became a starter as a rookie and was part of one of football’s all-time great defenses appropriately named the “No-Name Defense”.
Although he wasn’t one of the bigger No-Names, Swift was a steady player who rarely missed tackles and always knew his responsibilities. Dolphin defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger would not tolerate mental mistakes and Swift was the perfect strongside linebacker for his scheme. From 1970 to 1976, Swift played in 78 regular season games and started in 71 of them. He was a starter on 3 AFC championship teams, 2 Super Bowl championship teams and the NFL’s only undefeated team.
In 1976, the Dolphins were going to make Swift available for the expansion draft. Rather than sign with the brand new Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he entered medical school and followed in the footsteps of his parents who were both doctors. Swift went on to a long career as an anesthesiologist in Philadelphia. He is currently retired. To read more stories about the Orange Bowl, visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
