Clarence Swanson

Clarence Emanuel Swanson (March 15, 1898 – December 3, 1970)

Biography Swanson was born in Wakefield, Nebraska, and attended high school there, where he played football, baseball, and basketball. Swanson had a touchdown reception as Nebraska prevailed, 10–0. The team finished with a record of , losing only to Notre Dame, and outscored opponents by a total of 283 to 17.

Swanson was the first Cornhusker to have three touchdown receptions in game, a mark he set in 1921 in his final collegiate game, which has been equalled several times but has yet to be surpassed. Swanson also set Nebraska records for most touchdown receptions in a season and in a career, which stood for over 50 years, He also worked as a traveling sales representative, then joined a women's clothing firm in 1924. The company, based in Lincoln, operated multiple department stores; Swanson became the firm's president in 1952.

Swanson was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973, and to Nebraska's football hall of fame in 1974. Nebraska has bestowed the Clarence E. Swanson Memorial Award since 1972 "for outstanding contributions to the University of Nebraska and the Husker athletic department through personal service, personal support of athletic department programs and dedication to the Husker football program and intercollegiate athletics." He was inducted to the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2017, Swanson's no. 1 jersey was retired by the Cornhuskers football program.

One of Swanson's great-grandsons, Barrett Ruud, played college football at Nebraska then professionally in the NFL, and has also coached at Nebraska and in the NFL.