Georgia Tech • Philadelphia Eagles • 101st Airborne, 506th Infantry and four Purple Hearts
1940 – 2019
I’m writing this tribute to Swede out of my complete gratitude and love for him as a friend, player and soldier. I have enlisted a core group of fellow teammates: Chick Granning, Tom Winningder, Bill Curry and Steve Copeland to give me their added insight.
Losing Swede is evidence that death is real. It must have been his time and he must have agreed. Swede lived on his terms. I never once saw him give in or God forbid—give up. In short, Swede was the toughest and most loving man I have ever known.
Friend
Swede was a great friend to me. I played behind him as a freshman in my first Spring Game at Georgia Tech. On the day before the game, Swede was in a lab and missed a portion of the media day. I filled in and was interviewed as the starter for the white team. When Swede came to practice, I told him I felt bad they had referred to me as the starter and did not mention him. Swede grabbed my arm and said, “Look here, you deserve it; you have had a great spring.” For the next 60 plus years, Swede was there for me.
Tom Winningder: “I was on my recruiting visit and when I met Swede I was extremely impressed by his presence. His eyes were captivating! He looked at me with so much focus and compassion, I have never forgotten it. Swede had the capacity to let you know that he cared and that he was really paying attention in that moment. It was a very special introduction to an amazing person. Thank you Swede!”
Bill Curry: Bill adds that his first real encounter with Swede was in a Cherokee Rose annual celebration. When Swede made an effort to get to know Bill, in his words, “I was thrilled!” Bill continued, “Swede seemed bigger than life, he was inscrutable and I’m forever indebted for his kindness and special interest in me. Swede was a special gift to us all.”
Steve Copeland: “I was a freshman when Swede was a senior, so I didn’t get the privilege of playing with him. I did hear all the stories about what a great player and competitor he was. When I saw the way he ran and hit, I understood.”
Player
Swede was absolutely the toughest player I ever saw play the game. He never taped his ankles, was injured or missed a game or practice. He was country strong. Made strong by hard work made necessary. He never lifted weights. His strength came from deep down in his spirit. I simply loved to watch him play.
In my sophomore year, I played behind Swede and Rufus and made the traveling team. Rufus was being billed as an All-American. But he never got ahead of #61. Down in Baton Rouge he was shaken up. He sat in the middle of the field as Coach Andel tried to help him off the field—to no avail. Swede played on and never complained. When I asked him about it he just gave me that little laugh and said, “Part of the game and that’s my job.”
Chick Granning shared a look at what a great player Swede was: “During the summer before Swede’s senior season, Coach Inman traveled to Biloxi to inform Swede and his parents that the coaching staff had decided to move Rufus ahead of Swede on the depth chart.” Swede returned to the campus and informed Coach Dodd that he knew that Rufus was a good player. He respectfully asked Coach Dodd to give him a chance to compete for the starting position. “Let us go one on one, 10 plays on defense and 10 plays on offense. If Rufus wins, I will support him to the end. If I win, I will start.” Coach Dodd agreed. In short, the competition was one-sided. Swede won all of the 20 plays and was named to start.
Soldier
Swede loved his friends, his family, his men—the soldiers that were under his command in Vietnam—and he really loved his country. Swede came to see Elise and me on his R&R from Vietnam. Swede wanted to swim out and watch me surf on the North Shore. At one point in his career he opted for a third tour of duty. I remember clearly Swede telling me that there was no way he could leave his men behind enemy lines. While Swede made it through, many of his men did not.
At the end of his military service, Swede received the treatment reserved for a hero in a brutal war: 4 Silver Stars, 4 Bronze Stars and 4 Purple Hearts.
Steve Copeland said it best: “There’s no doubt the world would be a much better place if we had more Swedes.”
The Final Act
At the end of Swede’s life, he had to battle with a serious infection that eventually resulted in the amputation of his leg. Which was not enough to force Swede to give up his work in the prisons. For years Swede took it upon himself to volunteer to work with inmates to find peace and forgiveness in their lives. As the team of physicians began to lose the battle with the infection, they suggested a possible solution. Swede was informed that the procedure in question was risky. So much so that it could be fatal.
Swede, as we would expect, had the clarity of focus to think of others, the trust to believe in the procedure and the mental strength to respond with courage and live his truth.
“If performing this procedure will help you to help others in my situation, please move forward with the procedure.”
And so it was. Our friend, the player and the soldier finished life on his terms.
The Memories
I loved Swede. The memories remain crystal clear: Driving in that big car of his to watch the Crackers play. Him riding in my Corvette and telling me how much he cared for me. Our time in Hawaii, especially when he swam out to see me surf. Him introducing his son Brad to me at the first Cherokee Rose. All of the phone calls that made me feel good all over.
Swede, we love you, we treasure your memory and all that you did for us, so many others and our country. Swede. I love you. Thank you for showing me how to play and live. I will continue to live my life in a way that will make you proud.
God Bless you and the family you leave behind.
Aloha Dear Friend,
Brad and Elise Yates
Georgia Tech ‘65