NFL: Swayne warns rookies that his long career wasn't the norm

By JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Saturday, July 5, 2008 4:46 PM PDT ∞

Harry Swayne's world wasn't typical for NFL players.

"I try to avoid discussions about my 15-year career,'' said Swayne, who played for the Chargers from 1991-96. "That is not reality.''

Instead, most NFL stints last a shade over 3 1/2 years. It's a point that Swayne stresses in his role with the Baltimore Ravens' player development department.

Swayne starts hammering home his point to rookies as soon as he meets them.

"Because while they are in a transition into the NFL, in 3.7 years they will be transitioning out,'' Swayne said.

Swayne was not only a solid offensive tackle, but a solid citizen. While his Chargers teammates squandered money on fancy cars, homes and threads, Swayne was more careful with his dough. He was more concerned with returning to Rutgers and earning his degree ---- which he did.

Early in his lengthy career, Swayne became keen on the idea that, for many players, the NFL lifestyle ends quickly. So he was determined to be prepared, no matter when he reached the finish line.

For some, the exit door arrives more quickly because they can't handle obstacles ---- on and off the field.

"They have to learn how to handle adversity because it is coming,'' Swayne said. "There is nobody in the player's family that has gone through the pressure that they will go through in three weeks. So who they call and what they do with that stress and anxiety could determine the longevity of their stay here.''

Swayne said players must lie to survive. That little fib is to themselves, that they are wiser than the birthdate on their driver's license.

"To be general about it, these are young, 23-year-old men that have to conduct themselves in a manner as if they were already 30 years old,'' Swayne said. "They have to make mature decisions. You have to fool yourself that you are more mature than you really are.''

Today's fresh players have an advantage Swayne didn't when he was a rookie.

While the NFL currently aids its new members with rookie symposiums, that wasn't the case for Swayne in 1987.

"I've got a great perspective because my rookie year was a strike year,'' Swayne said. "It was much different because there was labor strife and we were enemies back then. Now, we work as a cohesive group.''

Back then, as today, Swayne said the most important word to embrace is "no."

"The hardest answer to give in life, for a 23-year-old, is saying 'no' to friends or very close friends of friends,'' he said. "You got to say 'no' to them, and that is probably one of the most difficult things to teach them. It's so they can say 'no' to what they want, so they can have what they need when they are done.''

For most, it's 3.7 years. For wise men like Swayne, it might be 15 years.