The Cohasset (Massachusetts) High School football team often had to play with a very limited number of players, and at least once could field but nine active players, yet the moribund program enjoyed an undefeated season in 1957. A key member of that squad was junior halfback Walter Francis Sweeney who played just as effectively as a senior, scoring 120 points in the 1958 season. Successfully recruited by Syracuse, he was converted to a two-way end and was particularly effective on the defensive side of the football as Syracuse became a dominant Eastern power. Assumed to be wrapped up by the NFL in the bidding war between the upstart AFL and established National Football League, Sweeney actually signed a contract prior to his final game against UCLA with the San Diego Chargers and then had a ceremonial signing on the field after the final whistle of his last Syracuse game. As the Cleveland Browns sixth-round choice, he chose the newer league, starred in the post-season North-South All Star game, and got a belated start to his pro career as the Chargers first-round pick while playing in the annual College All Star game. Assuming he would play defensive end with the Chargers, Sweeney was rather disappointed to find out that he was going to be switched to the offensive line. He viewed his upcoming role as an offensive guard to be "the bottom of the barrel" and was surprised that defensive line coach "...Chuck Noll didn't want me on defense because I had a rowdy reputation." Responding well to strength coach Alvin Roy's strength training regimen, the first organized program in professional football, Sweeney increased his body weight to 250 pounds and was an immediate hit at his new position, opening holes for Charger running backs Paul Lowe and Keith Lincoln and enjoying the benefits of an AFL Championship in his rookie season.
 

Wearing the large 7 1/2 TK most of his career Sweeney added several special RAC protection pads including a home made front nose bumper for his Kra-lite 8 in 1970 which is seen here.