Pittsburgh Steelers executive Art Rooney Jr., widely regarded as a key architect of the franchise's 1970s dynasty, has been left off the Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot, according to a report from Steelers Now.
Rooney Jr., son of franchise founder Art Rooney Sr., served as the team's personnel director during the 1970s when Pittsburgh won four Super Bowl titles in six seasons. His scouting and drafting acumen helped build a roster that featured future Hall of Famers such as Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Jack Ham, and Jack Lambert.
A photograph from August 1975 shows Rooney Jr. during the height of the Steelers' dominance. Despite his central role in constructing one of the NFL's most successful dynasties, he was not included among the contributors considered for enshrinement in the latest Hall of Fame voting cycle.
The omission has drawn criticism from Steelers historians and former players who argue that Rooney Jr.'s contributions to the league's most dominant team of the 1970s merit Hall of Fame recognition. The Pro Football Hall of Fame's contributor category honors individuals who made significant impacts on the game in roles other than playing or coaching.
