1959 Profile: Harland Svare

Linebacker
No. 84
Washington State

"Svare came to the Giants during training camp last summer in a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, for whom he had already put in two seasons. He played regularly at linebacker and defensive end. He intercepted two passes, returning them 19 yards.

Svare lettered in college as an offensive end and played in the East-West Game as a senior. He was the Rams' 17th choice in 1953.

Svare's teammates call him 'Swede,' although he is of Norwegian descent. His hometown is Poulsbo, Washington."

-1956 Jay Publishing

"For two years the starting right linebacker, Svare returns for his third season as a Giant, his fifth in the league. The Giants got him in a trade with the Rams. He can also play guard and defensive end.

Svare lettered in college as an offensive end and played in the East-West Game as a senior. He was the Rams' 17th choice in 1953.

Svare's teammates call him Swede, although he is of Norwegian descent. He drives an Austin Healey sports car. His hometown is Poulsbo, Washington."

-1957 Jay Publishing

"Harland Svare (84) became a Giant in 1955 as a result of a deal with the Los Angeles Rams. This solid five-year pro from Washington State has done an outstanding job in the Giant 4-3 defense. Like Bill Svoboda on the other side, he's a darting opportunist who keeps the opposition guessing by continually varying his tactics.

Svare has only one beef: his teammates have nicknamed him 'Swede.' Actually, he is of Norwegian descent."

-1957 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium)

"Harland first played for the Rams in 1953 after his career at Washington State. He's a first-quality linebacker who can also fill in at guard and end.
Harland lives in Los Angeles where he fusses with sports cars."

-Pro Football Handbook 1959

"Harland Svare (84), a seven-year pro from Washington State, who was acquired by the Giants in a 1954 trade with the Rams, has provided stalwart service to the defensive platoon as an outside linebacker. He's a superior play diagnostician and one of the league's fiercest tacklers.

Under the Giants' varying defensive patterns, he often covers in the flat on passes. While so doing, he picked off one for a key 70-yard scoring interception against the Eagles."

-1959 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium, November 1)