Gerhard Schwedes, WWII Survivor and College Hall of Fame QB, Dies at 88
Summary
Gerhard Schwedes, a former Syracuse University football player and the first draft pick of the Boston Patriots, died at age 88. He helped Syracuse win its only national football championship and played professionally in the American Football League.Key Facts
- Gerhard Schwedes was born in Germany in 1938 and moved to the U.S. at age 12.
- His family experienced hardships during World War II, including air raids and shortages of food and shoes.
- Schwedes played college football at Syracuse University, becoming team captain and leading them to an undefeated season and a national championship in 1960.
- He threw a notable 87-yard touchdown pass in the Cotton Bowl that helped secure the championship.
- Schwedes was selected as an All-American and finished ninth in the 1959 Heisman Trophy voting.
- He was the first draft pick in Boston Patriots history and played for the Patriots and New York Titans in the early 1960s.
- Schwedes is survived by his family, including a son who also played in the NFL.
- He died peacefully at his home in Fayetteville, New York, on August 23, 2024.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
