Gerhard Schwedes: key obituary facts
Is Gerhard Schwedes dead? Yes. Gerhard Schwedes died on August 23, 2026, at age 88.
Cause of death: Gerhard Schwedes's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Gerhard Schwedes known for?
He was an American football player.
More about Gerhard Schwedes
Born: 23 April 1938.
Place of birth: Freiburg im Breisgau.
Place of death: Fayetteville.
Gender: male.
Nationality: United States, German Reich.
Education: Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Syracuse University.
Employer: United States Army.
Children: Scott Schwedes.
Also known as: Ger Schwedes, Gerhard H. Schwedes.
Gerhard Schwedes, an American football player who played for the New York Titans and Boston Patriots, died on August 23, 2026, aged 88.
Born in Freiburg im Breisgau on April 23, 1938, Schwedes grew up in Germany during World War II before moving to the United States at age 88. He went on to play college football at Syracuse University, where he was part of the team that won the 1960 Cotton Bowl Classic.
In late 1959, the Boston Patriots selected him in the territorial portion of the AFL’s inaugural draft, making him the first draft pick in franchise history. Schwedes later played two seasons in the American Football League as a halfback.