KDKA: Rumors are swirling that the man most identified with the Pittsburgh Steelers is about to be named Ambassador to Ireland.
Dan Rooney has had a long interest in the land of his grandparents and this appointment would cap it off.
Even before Barack Obama was sworn in as president, KDKA-TV Political Editor Jon Delano reported that Rooney was a possible candidate to be Ambassador to Ireland.
Rooney is apparently getting vetted:
"There's a strong belief down here that Dan is going to get the appointment," says U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, a Pittsburgh Democrat of Irish descent. "Nothing official."
Doyle says he and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey lobbied the president when they watched the Super Bowl at the White House and Rooney is being vetted -- or checked out -- by the FBI right now.
"It's our understanding that he is being vetted," says Doyle. "We're not aware of other people being vetted at this time."
Rooney will be in Washington to get a lifetime achievement award from the American Ireland fund on Monday and then to attend the White House reception with the Prime Minister of Ireland.
"Mr. Rooney has been involved in causes for Ireland -- north and south - for decades. He was going into Northern Ireland trying to bring reconciliation and trying to bring the people from the two communities together long before anyone else that I can think of," Lamb said.
