Pittsburgh Review

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced the list of 25 candidates in the Contributor category for the Class of 2025. Among those named is Art Rooney Jr., who has a notable history with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rooney Jr. served as the team's Personnel Director from 1965 to 1986, during which time he collaborated with Hall of Fame coach Chuck Noll. Under his leadership, the Steelers' scouting department was instrumental in drafting or signing ten future Hall of Famers between 1969 and 1974. This period saw the team secure four Super Bowl championships throughout the 1970s. Currently, Rooney Jr. holds a position as vice-president with the Steelers and is also recognized as a member of the Steelers Hall of Honor.

The selection process for this year's class comes after recent changes to the Hall of Fame's bylaws, which took effect starting with the Class of 2025. Notably, there has been a division in what was previously a combined Coach/Contributor category into two separate categories. Each will now have nominees evaluated by their respective Blue-Ribbon Committees before being considered by the full Selection Committee.

These Blue-Ribbon Committees consist of nine individuals: seven members from the full Selection Committee and two others who possess voting rights solely for this subcommittee. Through a series of reduction votes conducted over several weeks, each committee will select one finalist for induction into the Class of 2025. It is important to note that there is no mandatory retirement waiting period for Contributor candidates to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.