ClaraGrace Salyer (sister), Gregory Salyer (brother-in-law)
By Elena Roberts
After seven years of college football filled with injuries, Swayze Bozeman persevered and made it to the big stage.
Bozeman – a linebacker who played for Tri-County Academy in Flora, Copiah Lincoln Community College in Wesson and Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg – is playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday’s Super Bowl in New Orleans.
He originally went undrafted by the NFL. The 26-year-old went as a free undrafted agent, was placed on the practice squad for the Chiefs, and got called up midseason. From there he was able to play in three games thus far. He has three total tackles: two solo and one assist, playing on special teams.
Keep an eye out for Bozeman Sunday. He will be wearing No. 50.
Swayze Waters, a family friend of Bozeman, described Bozeman’s story as that of an underdog.
“When it comes to football, his story has been one of faith and belief in something and never giving up,” said Waters, a Jackson Prep alumnus who played in the NFL and Canadian Football League a combined nine years, won the Grey Cup (the CFL’s version of the Super Bowl) in 2012 and was the CFL Special Teams Player of the Year in 2014. “Swayze was an underdog out of high school, an unlikely candidate from juco, and a senior who had a few injuries looking for just a chance to live out the dream that every kid in the state of Mississippi has, to play on the big stage.”
It would take countless hours of football for Bozeman to earn this opportunity. Nevertheless, one thing remained constant throughout Bozeman’s life: his faith.
Bozeman began his journey as a Christian athlete early. Dwayne Parker, Bozeman’s youth pastor and FCA sponsor, said Bozeman started using his platform to share his faith from a young age.
“As a junior high athlete, Swayze demonstrated a desire to be a sold-out disciple of Jesus,” Parker said. “He was continually reading and studying the Bible as well as participating in and leading Bible Studies. He wasn’t ashamed of Jesus and boldly shared his faith on and off the field.”
Waters said: “Swayze is an example of what generational faith, commitment to the Lord, and faith in action is supposed to look light. Salt in a tasteless world and light in the darkness.”
During his time at Tri-County, Bozeman helped lead the team to two back-to-back state championship appearances. His first appearance landed him on the MAIS Football Fab 5 Underclassmen list in 2015.
Bozeman’s high school coach at Tri-County, David Blount, said Bozeman was a special player and person, even back in elementary school.
“I remember when I first got to Tri-County, Swayze was in elementary school and he stood out as one of the best players in pee-wee,” Blount said in an interview with Mississippi Scoreboard in 2020. “Then he dominated in junior high and was our best player in high school, playing both offense and defense. Not only was Swayze our best player, but he was also our hardest worker. He was very dedicated. He would put in extra running after we finished with practice. Swayze would lift weights practically every day. He was always lifting. I would have to call his dad to come spot him because I was ready to go home, but Swayze wasn’t. He wanted to lift some more.
“I coached a long time (more than 40 years with stops at Winston Academy, Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Copiah, Jackson Academy, Newton High, Millsaps College, Canton and Tri-County) and he’s one of the best I’ve ever coached. Swayze had the size, speed and strength to stand out on the football field. And he did, game after game. He was also a joy to coach. He was one of the finest young men I’ve ever been around. Swayze would lead Bible studies for our players. He was also a great leader.”
Bozeman was recruited by Co-Lin CC in his senior year under head coach Glen Davis.
During his time at Co-Lin CC, Bozeman worked hard on and off the field. On the field, Bozeman played nineteen games and earned many honors such as NJCAA All-Region XXIII and All-MACJC First Team honors as well as a variety of academic awards. Off the field, Bozeman helped start Co-Lin’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Davis described Bozeman as smart and dependable.
Said Davis: “I probably benefited from him more being on our football team than he was able to get from me because he was that kind of kid.”
“I would not be surprised if he got into someone’s camp [in the NFL] after he is finished at Southern Miss,” Davis said in a story in Mississippi Scoreboard in 2020.
Now that his prediction has come to light, Davis could not be prouder.
“The thing that made me feel like that for Swayze is just all the intangible things he does and has going for him,” Davis said. “He’s probably not the flashiest guy, but he just gets the job done. He made us better as a football team, and I knew wherever he went he was going to make them better in some form or fashion. Less than one percent of guys make it in the NFL, and I’m tickled to death for him and his family.”
After Bozeman finished his career at Co-Lin, he was picked up by Southern Mississippi. When Bozeman signed, FCA representative Mitch Williams told him to get ready. “You sign here —- we got work to do.”
Bozeman’s career at Southern Miss was longer than expected. Riddled with injuries and a COVID year, Bozeman spent five years in Hattiesburg playing under three different head coaches. Bozeman began his Southern Miss journey in 2019. He was able to play all thirteen games and started eight of them. His contribution helped bring the team to a bowl game against Tulane. Bozeman would only make it through two seasons total without injury during his time at Southern Miss.
In Bozeman’s second year, he was able to play in six games – all of which he started. Among academic awards, Bozeman was named to the Wuerffel preseason watch list and won the C-USA Spirit of Service Award. Bozeman’s third year became a redshirt year after he got injured in four contests. In his fourth year, Bozeman got hurt after four games as well. However, he did earn his first career touchdown against Northwestern State.
Williams believes that in the midst of Bozeman’s injuries, his attitude never changed.
“With him being injured – Swayze never swayed,” Williams said. “He never went another way. Swayze stayed the course. He believed God had a purpose — even in the injury.”
Harvey Bozeman, Swayze’s father, believes God has had a hand on his son for many years.
“No question God has orchestrated his path,” Harvey Bozeman said. “Swayze knows that so whenever he’s had any kind of setback or things didn’t go quite as planned, he knew God had a better plan. He trusted that and here we are. Hard work, determination, and the fact that he loves the process. Swayze always wants to get better and wants those around him to excel as well. He has an ‘It Ain’t About Me’ attitude, which really isn’t the norm these days.”
Williams emphasized how hard it is for athletes to trust God with their injuries.
“That’s difficult for a student-athlete,” Williams said. “Swayze never had a dent in his character while he was experiencing those difficulties. Whether he had a boot on one of his legs or a cast on one of his arms, he never swayed. His faith in the Lord Jesus was rooted and rooted well.”
In his final year in 2023, Bozeman was able to play 10 games accumulating 20 solo tackles, and 35 assists.
Parker said, “He was injured, yet Swayze never let that keep him down. He would keep a positive attitude and work hard to return to the field.”
Off the field, Bozeman led a men’s Bible study. According to Williams through this Bible study, he was able to disciple many different athletes.
“Swayze was the same all the time,” Williams said. “Young people could trust him. He’ll leave this earth with secrets of things that young people have told him that they trusted him with.”
It was during Bozeman’s time at Southern Miss that he met his wife: Macie Denise. Denise is a former soccer player for Southern Miss where Williams would officiate.
Former Southern Miss head football coach Jay Hopson who recruited Bozeman to play for the Golden Eagles when he was playing at Co-Lin CC said he knew Bozeman had NFL potential.
“I haven’t been blessed with any sons, but every man who would love Swayze as a son,” Hopson said. “He takes care of his business. Swayze checks all the boxes that I was looking for when I was recruiting him. I look for NFL potential players, and he’s one of them, and he’s proved it. There is no chink in his armor. Swayze is a determined young man. An amazing human being.”
Hopson has known Bozeman for many years.
“I watched Swayze play at Co-Lin and he was underrecruited at Tri-County and at Co-Lin,” said Hopson, who played at Ole Miss and played against Bozeman’s uncle, Dudley Bozeman, who played at Mississippi State. “When he came to camp, he ran a 4.51 (second) 40 (yard dash) and he was about 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. And oh my gosh. He’s an incredible athlete.”
When it was time for NFL Pro Day, Waters was spreading the word about Bozeman.
“NFL pro day I spoke to some football people about him during his preparations for pro-day,” Waters said. “I told them all the same thing, ‘You want this guy in your locker room.’ Turns out he’s not too bad at football either!”
This is Bozeman’s rookie year. After getting to celebrate as AFC Champs, the team is set to play the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday in Super Bowl LIX at 5:30 p.m. on FOX.
Upon winning the AFC, Bozeman told KCTV, “It’s surreal. I want to give God all the glory, and everything that I’ve been able to do to get here is because of him and everything from now on is for him.”
May Bozeman, Bozeman’s grandmother, told KCTV in an interview that seeing Bozeman play is inspiring.
Said May Bozeman: “It’s one of the most fantastic things — and the ideal for every little kid that wants to work, dream, and see it come true.”
Parker firmly believes this opportunity is purposeful.
“The opportunity to play in the NFL and the Super Bowl isn’t about luck but due to Swayze’s hard work and God’s blessings on his life,” Parker said.
Williams said Bozeman welcomes the platform he is given as a professional athlete to spread his faith. He said Bozeman is the same as ever – helping lead a Bible study in Kansas City.
“Swayze welcomes that platform of one who loves Jesus with all he has,” Williams said. “He just happens to be a National Football League player who is looking to play in the Super Bowl.”
In an interview with All Chiefs Up!, Bozeman says he is continuing his growth as an athlete.
“When I first got into this league, learning this playbook was super important because it was a lot different than what I’ve been used to,” Bozeman said. “And so now that the mental side of the game is coming a lot easier, part of what I’m trying to improve upon is block destruction.”
Bozeman praised his linebacker group saying they’ve mentored him along the way.
“Man, the whole linebacker group has been great,’ Bozeman said. “They all are just super upright dudes that want to help you. You know a lot of times you may think coming into the league that you’re trying to take the same spot as the guy in front of you and they may not want to help you out, but these guys have really taken me under their wing.”
As Bozeman prepares for the big day, many who helped Bozeman along the way are gearing up to watch the big game. Former Co-Lin coach Davis summed up his opinion of Bozeman in just four words, “he’s a class act.”
“Ephesians 3:20 says the Lord will do immeasurably more than anything we can ask or imagine,” Harvey Bozeman said. “He’s done that. All glory to Him.”
