Steelers owner Rooney dies

Dan Rooney, the powerful and popular Pittsburgh Steelers chairman whose name is attached to the NFL’s landmark initiative in minority hiring, died Thursday. He was 84.

The team announced his death but details were not immediately available.

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 a league title game. Over the decades he became one of the most powerful and innovative forces within the game, developing 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.

In 2000, Rooney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining his father. Dan Rooney’s son, Art II, has been the Steelers president since 2003, with Dan Rooney becoming chairman.

COLTS SIGN HANKINS >>

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard waited patiently to make his biggest offseason splash.

On Thursday, Ballard jumped into the free agent pool and got former New York Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins with a threeyear deal worth $30 million and $15.9 million in guaranteed money, according to a person with direct knowledge of the contract terms.