National Football Foundation

German-born halfback Gerhard Schwedes gained national acclaim during his historic career at Syracuse University from 1957-59.

Schwedes was born in Nazi Germany in 1937. His father, who was in a prison camp during WWII, gained his freedom and moved his family to America in 1950. The Schwedes family settled in New Jersey when Gerhard was 12, and he learned to love the game of football while playing at Hunterdon Central High School. Upon graduation he only had one offer to play in college – from Syracuse University.

Schwedes played at halfback for Syracuse, but he made frequent appearances at safety and quarterback. He was an All-American, a Syracuse University Letterman of Distinction and nominated team captain for his 1959 senior season. His senior season also marked the year that ‘Cuse went undefeated and beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl to win the National Championship. Schwedes played a pivotal role in the game, throwing an 87-yard pass to running back Ernie Davis to score the game’s first touchdown and running for one touchdown himself in the third quarter.

While at Syracuse, Schwedes excelled academically. He served on his senior class executive committee, and he was a member of the Dean’s list. Schwedes studied languages and is fluent in English, German, Italian and French. At the time of his graduation, Schwedes intended to pursue a post-graduate degree in Law.

The dominant halfback was drafted in the fourth round by the Baltimore Colts in 1960. He was traded to the New York Titans where he spent one season, then to the Boston Patriots where he finished his career in 1961.

His son Scott Schwedes would follow in his footsteps at Syracuse, playing wide receiver and setting the record for receiving yards. Scott was also drafted to the NFL where he played for four seasons. Gerhard now owns a small marketing business in upstate New York, and he was named to the Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.