WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama has tapped Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney to be U.S. ambassador to Ireland.
The 76-year-old Rooney is a lifelong Republican who endorsed Obama during Pennsylvania’s contentious Democratic primary. He later campaigned for him in Steelers country in western Pennsylvania.
Rooney’s father, Arthur J. Rooney, founded the team in 1933. Dan Rooney took over the presidency of the team in 1975 and is a Hall of Fame owner. His Steelers won the Super Bowl this year.
The “Rooney Rule,” which requires any team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate, was developed by an NFL committee Rooney chaired.
Rooney has received the American Ireland Fund’s lifetime achievement award.
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