Martha Rial, Post-Gazette Lynn Swann was prominent supporter of President George Bush and the Republican ticket this year, making numerous appearances including this one last month on election eve. Click photo for larger image.

HARRISBURG -- State House Republican Leader Sam Smith got a call earlier this week from former Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann, who said he was thinking about running for the GOP nomination for governor in 2006.

"He told me he was exploring the idea," Smith, of Punxsutawney, told reporters at the Capitol today. "He wanted to make it very clear he wasn't making a commitment to run but he did want to put feelers out."

Smith said he's met Swann just once but thinks "he's a bright and articulate and obviously a very charismatic guy. I don't know where he stands on all the political issues, but if he pursues this I will look forward to sitting down with him. I think it would be an exciting prospect" and would garner a lot of media attention for Republicans.

Swann, a resident of the Pittsburgh suburb of Sewickley Heights, is an ABC-TV college football commentator.

Marlene Chodkowski, a spokeswoman for Swann Inc., Swann's company in Pittsburgh, said that he wasn't granting interviews on his political plans yet. But she said Swann did issue a brief statement that says, "My decision (on whether to run) is not imminent. However, I am discussing the issue with family, friends and political leaders."

If he were to win the GOP nomination, he would be opposing incumbent Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who is expected to seek a second term in 2006. Rendell is a rabid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and on Sunday afternoons serves as a commentator on an Eagles post-game show on a Comcast channel in Philadephia.

But Swann has a long way to go. He could end up facing at least three other Republicans in a 2006 primary, including former Lt. Gov. William Scranton of Scranton, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey of Allentown (who narrowly lost a GOP primary this year to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter) and state Sen. Jeffrey Piccola of suburban Harrisburg, who recently said he is "95 percent sure'' he'll run in 2006.

Swann, 54, spoke at the Republican National Convention on Sept. 2, and he was also co-chairman of the African-American steering committee for the Bush-Cheney campaign this year.