Francis Edward Sweeney Sr. (January 24, 1934 – April 10, 2011)[1] was an American politician and jurist of the Ohio Democratic party.

While on the court, he formed a majority coalition with fellow Democrat Alice Robie Resnick and Republicans Paul Pfeifer and Andrew Douglas.

He earned his Juris Doctor from the Cleveland State University College of Law in 1963.

Sweeney, played defensive tackle for Xavier as well as in the Canadian Football League.

His grandson Jake Ryan was a linebacker in the NFL, while two of his other grandsons (Connor (wide receiver) and Zack (linebacker) Ryan) played college football at Ball State.