Listen to How Awesome Life Has Been for My Baby Bro Since the Chiefs Won the SB!
 

Ok, so I am having a great year. I started a new wrestling website a couple months ago called The Pin Doctors and it is a full-fledged hit. The Chiefs made me cry from happiness over..and over...and over... Never thought I'd see them win one...honestly. I seriously had no hope of that ever happening.

My brother, Brennan Swafford is a die hard Chiefs fan as well.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NewProfilePic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NewProfilePic</a> <a href="https://t.co/0g9KooHX9d">pic.twitter.com/0g9KooHX9d</a></p>&mdash; Brennan Swafford (@SwaffordBrennan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SwaffordBrennan/status/1224173193159761924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Then this happened:

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That earned him his 2nd OW of the Heart of America Conference award. And he's just a true Sophomore. So he qualified for Nationals as expected. As a Freshman, he placed 7th at nationals.

First match at nationals, he beat a Greco world team member, 20-2... here is his interview after that:

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He then won his next 3 matches to make the finals, which were televised on ESPN3 Saturday night and wrestled like the little athletic genius he is:

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And then he gave me this awesome interview right after:

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My brother is a national champ. My brother, who was snubbed so badly in the recruiting process, proved everyone wrong!!! Brennan was obviously a great wrestler in HS, but was also first team all-state football and placed like 5-6 times in sprinting events in track. He originally signed on to playy football at Graceland, but missed wrestling and wanted to save his body so he can try out for the NFL after he graduates. And I'm dead serious when I say this... it's feasible for him. He is a FREAK athlete. I'm dead serious when I say that he should be looked at. He won the All-Hawkeye Athlete of the year as a Senior in HS which is given to the region's best all-around athlete and for whatever reason, he couldn't get a call or an email back. Not from one D1 school...out of 12. HE SHOWED THEM!!! AND WE ALL KNEW HE WOULD!!!

He was also first in the state for art with a sketch he drew of Bruce Lee in HS. An art nerd and current graphic design major.

I have some people to thank on here who have followed his career over the years on here.

Glorydayz, Lonewolf, Burt, Sorter, Hamas as kept up here and there, Rudy Lost the Toss, Brianfo.... the two main ones though:

Iowanian. He has followed him for years and has offered great praise and insight.

And...

Clay Wendler. He made this awesome highlight reel of him last year despite his fanbase giving him shit for posting non-Chiefs material:

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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ENJOYING THIS RIDE WITH ME, GUYS!!! AND HE'S JUST A SOPHOMORE!!!

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">So, I just want to start by saying that I’m extremely grateful for all of the great things Graceland has done for me. The support from my coaches and professors has been awesome. With that being said I would like to announce that I will be continuing my journey at Iowa. Go Hawks! <a href="https://t.co/pyCckVW1dZ">pic.twitter.com/pyCckVW1dZ</a></p>&mdash; Brennan Swafford (@SwaffordBrennan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SwaffordBrennan/status/1387451097984512008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Hold on... posted topic too soon... there is a point here

Couple more things: Let's get Caitlyn Jenner (Graceland) to acknowledge him!!!

And Clay, let's do another video... you know I am cool about these things as far as the time you will spend on them.... take a look at the videos, even the spoofs and keep in mind that he has 2 nicknames that the wrestling world knows him as...."Burns" and "Mr. Dangerous." "Burnin' Down the House" by Talking Heads and "Dangerous" by Busta Rhymes as possible songs?

I've become somewhat ok at doing these reels... Here are two that I did for my favorite current HS wrestler (I'm a huge fan of unapologetic multisporters).

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LET'S COLLABORATE!!! PIONEERS OF THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE LONG AWAITED RISE OF WRESTLING!!! It's coming... I'm on a mission to give wrestling a better, more accurate and funner personality through my site and it's working...and you guys all know how obsessive I am when I put my mind to something...

Oh and CHIEFS!!! Want a tough mother****in' white guy that can fly? Bring him in for a look... he's hitting football again the moment he's done wrestling in 2 years...

https://scontent.fdsm1-1.fna.fbcdn.n...9f&oe=5EA6BC53

For real, he does some incredible things on the football field.

2017: Iowa leader for tackles for loss, regardless of class.
2017: 2nd in Iowa for Sacks, regardless of class.
2017: Iowa leader for fumble recoveries for TD's regardless of class.
2017: Was like 5th or 6th in Iowa for rushing TD's regardles of class.

40 time solid... multi-placer at Drake Relays and State Track....all sprinting events.

This kid shall be snubbed no longer! He's legit! AND TOUGH! AND LOVES THE CHIEFS!!!

more pics of your wife. she fine.

Yeah...

Come on though, this accomplishment justifies bragging right? It’s been a long time coming.

Gay thread is super gay.

Yeah. Sorry man.

This is fantastic and the joy and pride you are feeling must be overwheliming.

Great to hear from you agan Rico.

In the post match interview when he says, “I broke the curse. I broke it finally... finally.” It makes me bawl every time... he’s referring to something that a lot of Swafford’s have had... heartbreakingly bad luck. When someone says the Swafford curse in wrestling-Iowa, people can think of several examples.

He broke it!

And the Chiefs did too!!!

That's pretty awesome.

Congrats for your little bro.

Must have sucked to have such a bad ass little bro that could whip your ass on the daily lol.

Hell Yeah!!!

Thank you!!!

LMAO Nah, he remembers the man who laid the law down if he shat his diapers after the age of 1.5!

Very nice. :thumb:

That's awesome, sir. Congrats on a wonderful start to the decade.

Congrats man.....that’s ****ing sweet.

Congrats! It is always great to see a kid so dedicated and hardworking finally win the big one. That is a HUGE accomplishment. It takes more than just talent to ascend to the very top- it takes a lot of heart.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Congrats to your family and brother, seems like it’s been quite a start to 2020.

Some friendly advice I’ll add — and my line of work veers right along with this sort of thing, I’ve learned from some pros when I say this: if he really wants a shot at the football thing, he needs to start now. From an evaluator’s perspective, if he waits, the narratives that he will have to fight is “he didn’t love the game enough to play it in college” and it’s going to be damn near impossible to get a real look from the NFL without any college tape. The Antonio Gates’es of the world are unicorns, and as a basketball player converting to TE, it was something more feasible.

If he starts playing football now and shows the requisite pro athletic traits, produces at a very good clip @ the NAIA level... he’ll have a shot. The athletic traits and competitive toughness elements will be most important though because some guys don’t produce as a matter of circumstances (see George Kittle @ Iowa). Then the narrative becomes “he loved football so much that he converted despite being a national champion wrestler”. Talent evaluators LOVE good wrestlers too.

If he plays the game and has true NFL athletic ability, he will probably get a look or two. But that’s something that you only do if he truly loves the game and wants that. A lot of potential sacrifice involved.

Cool as hell, Rico. Congrats to your brother! Your entire family must be proud as he sounds like not only a great athlete but a well rounded individual.

My favorite part, "I want two more!".

That kid he beat in the first vid was a stud...making your brother an ALFA MALE STUD! I couldn't be much more impressed! Those 2 were gettin' it! Congratulations!

He looks so small, and to think I wrestled at 150 in college!

Congrats to your bro, man. I saw your post about the Championship and meant to tune in, but got busy with family stuff.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Congrats to him! Maybe you can be the next Jackson Mahomes standing behind him on the victory stand.

Thanks to everyone! For real! And I’m relieved you aren’t harshin me for saying he wants to play football because I fully believe that he could maybe do it. He is a FREAK... an inventive, powerful athlete that the fans just love. Hahaha, so if there are any Chiefs brass reading this, the kid is a Chiefs fanatic... he would bust skulls and make it look easier than you’d expect... and he’s just a true Sophomore! He hasn’t peaked! This has been so fun!

He carries a lot of weight in his legs... that was the big comment people kept making at Nats.

And he will get it! Probably with ease from here on out! He’s still progressing! I love that part too.

Ah shit I meant to hit the thumbs up!

Thanks so much man! Was hoping you’d reply for you’ve followed along with me on here for years!

Very cool. Congrats!

He is getting D1 attention now (slyly). He is telling them to get lost. They all had their chance. Graceland wanted him, believed in him and loved him from the start... he's gonna stay with that awesome community! They needed a spark for so long! 1975 was their last champ.

Congratulations, having a champion in the family in a most demanding sport.

Will check out your site also.

Very cool man! Congrats to the Swafford family!

Let me know what you think and like it on Facebook!! Thanks man!

https://m.facebook.com/thepindoctors/

All wrestlers like it on Facebook!

https://m.facebook.com/thepindoctors/

So happy for your brother and you! Hope re-considers those D1 offers; there are quite a few schools with decent middleweight coaches that could help him AA. I’ll send you a PM about it soon.

The only ones I would probably advise him to not tell to **** off would be Virginia. It wasn't really an option because it was so far away, but the Paulson twins have been believers since day 1 with Brennan. They were good friends with my brother Justin growing up... he would be with people who believed in him from the start there... no one else gave him the time of day and they were wrong for doing that and he went through a lot of inner turmoil because of it. I hope he tells most of them that they suck at their jobs as recruiters/scouts.

BUT...from your eye test....you feel what SEI has always felt about Brennan? That he's D1 caliber?

Here is a perfect example of his speed.. go to the 2:58 mark... that is cool as shit for a 165 pounder... and this is against a 2 time state champ from Kansas who is really good.

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Not sure this thread went in the direction the OP intended........:shake:

Congratulations to your bro!! I love reading stuff like this!

Hell yeah! Thanks man!

Graceland ended up offering him a full ride. He is staying... I just hope his championship will bring others there!

Do you remember Chad Zaputil?

If anyone is interested, here is the ESPN3 airing of his finals match:

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How much weight can he add with out losing speed and quickness? He will need to add 40lbs for the NFL I would think to have a shot.

Awesome work by him so far. Lots to be proud of.

Sweet. Congrats to the little bro.

This thread reeks of awesomeness. Bravo, champ!

He is likely going up a weight next year to 174... will have to cut weight to make that. He is filling out quite a bit. He is actually at Graceland on a football scholarship originally, but now his Natty championship resulted in a full ride from here on out. He’s a stud. Thanks for the nice words!

Thanks man!!

Thanks Buns!!!

Pretty obvious how proud you are of him, and why wouldn't you be? What an awesome young dude! Great story!

That's ****ing awesome Rico!

I'd be hella proud too.

Cool thread!

Certainly nothing wrong with staying loyal to his program

BUT, here's my 2 cents.

Guessing by your relationship with the Paulsons, you probably think Kevin Dresser is a colossal dickhead, but I would think being a NAIA champ would get your brother in the door at Ames RTC.

Maybe he goes up to Ames 1-2X per month and sees if he gets an itch for D1 after wrestling several of the ISU guys.

Maybe he defends his title next year and feels like he has nothing left to prove at that level.

Do you think, based on his accomplishments, Graceland would honor his full scholarship in a redshirt year for 2021-2022? This might allow him to graduate from Graceland and pursue a grad transfer to a D1 with his remaining year of eligibility. I would think that might be a good recruiting pitch for Graceland if they took care of their guys like that.

I love threads like this. Very uplifting and congrats to your baby bro.

For sure man! Thanks for reading about it and for the nice words!

Oh yeah, I couldn’t be more proud. I’ve known all along how crazy high his ceiling is... This has been GREAT! Thanks man!

Your site is impressive Rico, a ton of content. Clearly a labor of love.

I have known the Paulson twins for decades and love them.... they are good shit. I have no harsh feelings towards Dresser. I’ve never met the man and that’s their beef.

There has been a moderate amount of D1 interest that has emerged all the sudden and it has been flattering, yet at the same time it’s like, “why the hell did 12 of you snub him? Like no response, really?! The people in the recruiting roles obviously don’t know how to do their jobs as successfully as they could, for it was obvious to everyone in Southeast Iowa that he was an athletic specimen that could be molded.” Like, he (well our whole family) has such a huge chip on his shoulder about that. I feel that multi sport athletes get overlooked in wrestling and it’s not right... not to mention, a freaking stupid way of approaching the recruiting trail. I hate this whole “you have to do nothing but wrestle and wrestle only to get to the next level” mindset in wrestling. It is so ignorant, IMO.

And he likely will always have a void in his heart about not wrestling D1. We all know he can compete well at that level. We knew Foster could too.

Graceland has just been so good to him. A family.

Hell Yeah thanks man!

Dude I have been working my ass off at it. I mean, I am giving it every little thing that I’ve got. I am dead set on doing something with my life that I am proud of and that I am passionate about. Maybe a pipe dream, but I’m still swinging. Thanks so much for checking it out!

If you watch the finals match, when he gets the takedown at about the 9:50 mark, that’s a perfect example of his freakish athleticism. His leg/hip strength and anticipation is just crazy.

Glad to hear my brother, Rico!

Wrestlers are the toughest athletes and your bro has the makings of brick shit house.

What's his weight class? 152? 160?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ESjcEAbXkAIHKmp.jpg

Never mind! :D

Hell yeah bud!!!

And I’m thinking he will be 174 this year. He will be better at that weight. He’s still filling out.

I made a highlight reel of last year’s season for Brennan and thought you guys might like to see it....

For real, my brother is a ****ing badass...

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He ever think about going the MMA route? He is a grade A badass. Can't believe he was snubbed by D1 schools. Bunch of ****ing morons.

I agree! His thinking is more along the lines of trying to beef up about 20 pounds after wrestling and try to wish upon a star that maybe he could get a football workout in with someone.... He runs around a 4.4 40....in wrestling shape.

He’s thought about that or joining a wrestling club to try to wrestle internationally. I know he’s welcome in the Hawkeye Wrestling Club now.

Thanks for the nice words about him!

He can be our future Dirty Dan!!!

Haha, not joking... he is absolutely ****ing tenacious on a football field.

Huge Chiefs fan... has said since he was little he’d only play for them....

I take that back... Dirty Dan is a good 1.5 inches taller than Brennan...

Dude should consider practicing some BJJ. Did you speed up that video or is he that ****ing fast?

Nice! :thumb:

What a great story. Are you from SE Iowa?

On another note:

We played a HS FB game at Bruce Jenner Field a few years back... Maybe they could change it to Kaitlyn Jenner Field and get her back for the dedication and a meet and greet with your brother.

I had to speed up the first few where he was tilting the guy and like the first opponent or two where he took a shot.... so like 25 seconds of it was sped up... I had to do it because I wanted to line up him walking to the finals to the line “as K walk to the shadow of death” and i wanted to line his celebration up with “hands in the air like you just don’t care” and a couple other things... The last 85% of it is not sped up. He is FAST. He was 1st Team All State in football as an OLB and RB... And in 3 years of going to state track, he placed top 4 in 7 sprinting events... got close to winning the 200... he actually placed 4th in the 200 at the Drake Relays, which is all classes combined (1A, 2A,3A).... this was huge because the majority of placers you see there are black... he’s fast as hell. Fastest 400 was 48.8 and fastest 200 was 22.3....

I am from SE Iowa! Ha! it makes my day that someone on here asked that! I have a lotta SEI pride.

We tried to get Kaitlyn there, but she wouldn’t respond...

That was amazing.

Hell yeah these are easy to do when the wrestlers have a big, fun offense like him.

I'm originally from SE Iowa as well...

South Central represent! :D

:thumb:

Nice! know any Mepo people? Burlington? Wapello? Ft. Madison?

Osceola. :D