PITTSBURGH, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann has taken up a new game, announcing his candidacy for governor of Pennsylvania.
Swann is likely to face at least three other candidates in the Republican primary, the Sports Network reports. The winner gets to take on Gov. Ed Rendell.
"I was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1974, and tonight, I'm drafted by Pennsylvania to be governor," Swann said at a rally Wednesday night.
If elected, Swann would be Pennsylvania's first black governor.
Swann spent nine years with Pittsburgh, his entire NFL career, playing in three Pro Bowls and winning a place in the Hall of Fame. Since his retirement, he has been a sports broadcaster, a spokesman for Big Brothers-Big Sisters and chairman of President Bush's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. He also serves on a number of corporate boards, including Pennsylvania stalwarts H.J. Heinz and Hershey Entertainment.
