Steelers chairman Rooney dies

Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, one of the NFL’s most influential and popular executives, died Thursday. He was 84.

Rooney took over operation of the team in the 1960s from his father, Art, who founded the franchise. From there, Dan Rooney oversaw NFL championships for a team that had never even played in an NFL title game. Under Rooney’s direction, the Steelers won four championships in six years — Super Bowls IX, X, XIII and XIV.

He was a powerful force within the league. He helped develop the Rooney Rule, under which NFL teams are required to interview minority candidates for coaching and front- office positions. He was a key figure in labor negotiations and league expansion. He made the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and served as the U. S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to ’ 12.

“Ambassador Rooney was one of the giants of our game,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said. “His quiet counsel to league commissioners going back to Bert Bell was invaluable to the success of the NFL.”

Said Bears coach John Fox: “I am proud to have started my NFL coaching career with his beloved Steelers in 1986, and I will always be thankful for that opportunity. He was a firstclass gentleman and a gold standard as a Hall of Fame owner.”

This and that

The Raiders were actively negotiating with running back Marshawn Lynch, who has decided he intends to seek reinstatement to the NFL if he can play in Oakland, according to ESPN. The Seahawks still hold Lynch’s contractual rights, but they allowed him to visit the Raiders last week.

Former Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins agreed to a three- year, $ 30 million deal ($ 14.5 guaranteed) with the Colts.

Former Buccaneers receiver Louis Murphy was arrested Wednesday at an airport for carrying a loaded gun in a backpack.

Sun- Times wires