Lynn Swann Reflects on Steelers-Raiders Brutal 1970s Rivalry: ‘You Knew It’d Be Physical’

Chris Ward |

Updated: Jul 15, 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers rivalry with the Oakland Raiders in the 1970s was as brutal as it gets. In that era, everything was off limits.

Raiders safety George Atkinson once KO’s Lynn Swann with a blatant cheap shot in the 1975 AFC Championship Game at Three Rivers Stadium. Joe Greene carried the concussed Swann off the field, who was then transported to the locker room on a stretcher.

Swann spent two days in the hospital after the clothesline shot to the head from Atkinson. Two weeks later, Swann returned for Super Bowl X where he was named SB MVP. Swann recorded four receptions for 161 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ 21-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

OTD in 1976….

AFC Championship

George Atkinson KO’s Lynn Swann

Swann is concussed, taken to the locker room on a stretcher, and returns 2 weeks later for Super Bowl X where he is named SB MVP.

– I’ll share more from this game throughout the day pic.twitter.com/zfIPpYk9ve

— Steel City Star (@steelcitystar) January 4, 2024

Omaha Productions recently uploaded the 2020 episode on YouTube with Swann, who reflected on the Steelers-Raiders fierce rivalry of the 1970s.

“You can’t think about it,” Swann told Peyton Manning. “The game is physical. We knew there was a deep dislike for the Raiders and the Steelers.

“You knew it’d be physical. And you knew guys would take shots. But you have to block it out. If you let it stay in your head and forefront of your mind when you’re out there playing football, you’re never going to play your game. And they’re still going to hit you.”

Atkinson took Swann out again in the 1976 season opener, which was another blatant cheap shot to the head. Steelers head coach Chuck Noll ripped Atkison following the game, stating that he was a “criminal element” to the game.

Atkison filed a $2 million defamation lawsuit against Noll for his remark, but it was unsuccessful.

This is one of the most hysterical plays! George Atkinson had zero desire to tackle Franco Harris. He just wanted to clothesline Lynn Swann. LOL!#70sNFL #JohnMadden #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/TMXM21lwty

— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) December 29, 2021

Swann told Joe Buck this past January that the Raiders placed a bounty on him.

“Oh, they were very personal. They didn’t know me, but they had George. George didn’t know me. Now, there were guys on that football team who were on my team at USC, Charlie Phillips and Skip Thomas, who played corner, and they were there. Skip told me before the (1974 AFC) championship game, he said, ‘Watch yourself.’ I said, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘There’s a bounty on you.’ Now we know the familiar story in New Orleans and the whole deal,” Swann said.

The Steelers met the Raiders in the playoffs every year from 1972-1976. Pittsburgh had a 3-2 edge over Oakland in the playoff contests, winning twice in the AFC Championship (1974, 1975).