The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Thursday that owner and chairman Dan Rooney passed away at 84 years old.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 13, 2017
Rooney’s father, Art, founded the Steelers in 1933, a year after Dan’s birth, and after spending 20 years in various front office roles, Dan took over as the team’s president from 1975 to 2003, when his son, Art Rooney II, moved into his place. The Rooneys and the Maras (owners of the Giants) are the two longest tenured ownership families in the NFL, and Dan Rooney had a great deal of influence on the league.
His lasting legacy is the “Rooney Rule,” instituted in 2003, made it mandatory for teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching and executive jobs, and was expanded to include women for executive positions in 2016.
From 2009 to 2012, Rooney served as the United States’ ambassador to Ireland for the Obama administration. When news of his death became public on Thursday, the NFL world offered condolences to the Rooney family and the Steelers organization, as well as offering tributes to one of the league’s most respected owners. Rooney was one of the league’s patriarchs and will be remembered for his contributions to not only growing the league, but trying to make it more inclusive.
Rest in heaven Mr. Rooney. You were a remarkable man. Thank you for always taking time to talk with me, and ask about my family. #legend
— Max Starks IV (@maxstarks78) April 13, 2017
Sad day for anyone who's ever ran into Mr. Rooney. What a guy! He will truly be missed. He was the Steelers and Pittsburgh. 🙏🏾
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) April 13, 2017
Prayers to the Rooney family. Mr. Rooney always took time to welcome our crew and visit whenever in Pittsburgh for Steelers game. #gentleman
— Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) April 13, 2017
RIP to one of the greatest, Mr. Rooney. Thanks for giving me a chance in the NFL. https://t.co/o5Q5wg99Om
— Antwaan Randle El (@TheRealRandleEl) April 13, 2017
Dan Rooney!!!!!! Awesome Man!!!!!! Thanks 4 everything
— Larry Foote (@LarryFoote313) April 13, 2017
Sending thoughts and prayers to the Rooney family and the entire @steelers organization. https://t.co/NkzkZ8R7ry
— New York Giants (@Giants) April 13, 2017
🙏🏾🌹 mr Rooney https://t.co/hVfvIL7jlD pic.twitter.com/ooJzZUx4WS
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) April 13, 2017
Cowher: Mr. Rooney taught you never forget where you came from, and to give back. No one gave back more than him. #Steelers
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 13, 2017
Cowher on Rooney: There was NO prouder day in MY LIFE than to hand him that trophy. #Steelers
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 13, 2017
Have known Dan Rooney since 1960. Instrumental in making necessary changes in league, both on/off field. NFL is better because of him.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 13, 2017
R.I.P MR. Rooney 🙏🏿 https://t.co/Yjeukq692J
— Sammie Coates (@sammiecoates11) April 13, 2017
Dan Rooney was a @steelers hero who also served his country under @POTUS44, proud he called PA his home. Rest in peace. https://t.co/5JMST5a7wB
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) April 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/Chickillo71/status/852618218363654144
RIP Mr Rooney!!
— Thomas Davis (@ThomasDavisSDTM) April 13, 2017
Roger Goodell on the passing of Dan Rooney. "Few men have contributed as much to the National Football League as Dan Rooney." pic.twitter.com/2RQPA1DaoT
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) April 13, 2017
Our condolences go out to the Rooney family & the @Steelers on the passing of owner Dan Rooney. He left an everlasting impact on our sport.
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) April 13, 2017
RIP Mr Rooney
— Jerel Worthy (@I_AM_Worthy99) April 13, 2017
From so many blessings from a life in football, a foundation early was to know personally the Chief & Dan Rooney. They did the right thing.
— Ralph Cindrich (@RalphCindrich) April 13, 2017
Prayers going out to Rooney family & #SteelersNation hands down one of the best owners in the NFL. 🙏🏾
— Mark McMillian (@MarkMcMillian29) April 13, 2017
Dan Rooney was one of the staunchest supporters of @nflnetwork. Honored to have met him. Condolences to @steelers and the Rooney family.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) April 13, 2017
Rip to one of the greatest owners ever. Mr. Rooney
— Dorin Dickerson (@scorindorin) April 13, 2017
Of all the owners I've interviewed, none was kinder than Dan Rooney. One of few owners who spoke forcefully on NFL's racial issues.
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) April 13, 2017
Dan Rooney showed @EdBouchette any myself in 2001 how he used 13 dominoes to create NFL schedule in the early 1960s. Always a class act. RIP pic.twitter.com/3LcY4TKFyZ
— Matt Freed (@MattFreedPhoto) April 13, 2017
https://twitter.com/kaaya323/status/852621485839613954
