Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Vic Schwall attended Carl Schurz High School in Chicago before going on to star at Northwestern University, where he earned first-team All-Big Nine honors in 1946. A hometown product through and through, Schwall was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the first round of the 1947 NFL Draft, 10th overall, and joined the team the same year it captured the NFL Championship, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 28–21 in the title game at Comiskey Park.

Schwall spent four seasons as a halfback with the Cardinals from 1947 to 1950, serving as a contributing member of one of the most talented backfields in the league’s early history. Over his career he averaged 5.4 yards per carry, a mark that reflected the same explosive running ability that made him a top-ten draft selection. He retired following the 1950 season and passed away in Morton Grove, Illinois, in October 2000 at the age of 75.