Bill (Whipper) Swan

Billy Swan was born in Montreal and starred in baseball, hockey and of course football. Swan played intermediate football with the Lakeshore Flyers in Montrea, and won a Little Big Four title with them in 1957. Many of the Flyers practiced with the Alouettes during those years, and Swan dressed for six games with the Alouettes in 1959. Swan might have seen more action with the Alouettes, but at the time they were coached by Peahead Walker, a man known for not having much use for Canadian players.

Swan was a good receiver on a team stackedwith receivers like Red O'Quinn and Hal Patterson and so saw action mainly as a back-up, both at receiver and defensive back. Swan returned to the Alouettes camp in 1960, but was injured and ended up being released before theseason started.

Billy Swan is one of several former CFL football players such as Tony Proudfoot and Larry Uteck who have contracted ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease following the end of their playing carfeers.

Bill Swan passed away on November 20, 2012.

Bill Swan on fanbase.com

Swatn Catches TD Pass for Lakeshore - October 6, 1958

Swan Scores TD in Exhibiton Game against Calgary - SJuly 29, 1959

Swan One of Many Good Receivers in Camp - July 30, 1959

Swan One of Many Injured Alouettes - October 13, 1959

Swan Released by Alouettes - August 11, 1960

Swan Battling Lou Gehrig's disease - June 16, 2007

GP
Year Team GP
1959 MON 6

 

Billy Swan

1959 Montreal Alouettes
1959 Monrtreal Alouettes. Billy Swan is #72.  Top row, second from the left.