Steelers VP Art Rooney Jr. Named Hall of Fame Semifinalist

Pittsburgh Steelers Vice President Art Rooney Jr. has been named a semifinalist for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor. 

Not to be confused with Art Rooney II, Rooney Jr. has worked with the Steelers since 1961, and has been the team's Vice President since 1987. From 1965 through 1986, Rooney Jr. worked as the team's Personnel Director, helping build the franchise through the 70's four-Super Bowl run. He's also a graduate of Saint Vincent College, the home of the Steelers' training camp. 

According to Steelers.com, Rooney Jr. is credited with changing the Steelers' philosophy of team building, shifting to their current model of growing players instead of trading draft picks. 

"When Chuck Noll became the coach in 1969, he teamed with a Scouting Department headed by Art Rooney Jr. to draft nine Hall of Fame players, in addition to adding 11 more (nine draft picks and two undrafted rookies) from 1969-74 who would earn four Super Bowl rings with the team during the 1970s," his team bio reads. 

He was inducted into the team's Hall of Honor in 2018. 

The Hall of Fame announced 60 semifinalists, including 29 contributors. That list will be narrowed to 12 coaches and 12 contributors. The finalists will be announced on July 27.