Pittsburgh ? Former Steelers star Lynn Swann declared his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor Wednesday in the city where he made his name in professional football.

He said Wednesday afternoon that he made up his mind to run in the fall, after spending months weighing support at events around the state.

Swann, a Hall of Fame receiver and longtime TV football commentator, faces three other candidates in seeking the Republican nomination for governor – his first run for political office. The winner of the May 16 primary likely would face Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who is expected to seek a second four-year term.

If successful in his first bid for political office, Swann would become Pennsylvania’s first black governor. His announcement was no surprise: His political committee has been raising money for his campaign for nearly a year.

Swann, 53, kicked off his campaign with a rally Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. Former Steelers teammate Mel Blount introduced Swann, accompanied by his wife and two sons.

Tossing a Pro Football Hall of Fame cap into a cheering crowd of 500, Swann said, “Tonight Lynn Swann is running for governor, and that hat is in the ring.”

He plans appearances in five other cities today and Friday.

The Steelers won four Super Bowls during Swann’s nine-year pro career with the team. He has worked for ABC Sports since his retirement from football in 1983.

Swann said he put off a formal announcement until now to avoid conflicts with his ABC Sports duties.

If elected, he said, he would not resume his broadcasting career even on a part-time basis. Rendell moonlights as a Philadelphia Eagles post-game analyst for Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia.

“I think the people of Pennsylvania would rather have a governor who is committed to being there,” Swann said.

Swann has so far revealed little about his political philosophy or the initiatives he would pursue as governor. He has advocated reducing certain business taxes and said he opposes abortion rights.