The 1979 Pro Bowl was the NFL’s 29th annual all-star game, and featured the most outstanding performers from the 1978 season. On Monday, January 29, 1979, before a crowd of 38,333, the NFC faced off against the AFC. Bum Phillips of the Houston Oilers led the AFC team against the NFC team coached by the Los Angeles Rams head coach Ray Malavasi. The NFC came away with the win, 13-7, ending what would be the last Pro Bowl to be played in Los Angeles.
Interesting fact: Leading the offense that day for the AFC was one of football’s brightest stars, the Pittsburgh Steelers Lynn Swann. Swann has one of the most exemplary careers in the game. He was a consensus All-American at USC from 1970-1973 including the undefeated 1972 national champion team. He has received numerous honors including induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame. After football, Swann went on to a distinguished career in broadcasting and also served as USC Athletic Director from 2016-2019.