Steelers Chairman, Former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney Dies At 84
PITTSBURGH (CBS) – Pittsburgh Steelers chairman and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney has died at the age of 84, CBS Pittsburgh reports.
Rooney was born in 1932.
He took over operation of the team in the 1960s from his father, Art, who founded the franchise. From there, Dan Rooney oversaw NFL championships for a team that had never even played in an NFL title game.
He was a powerful force within the league. He helped develop the Rooney Rule under which NFL teams are required to interview minority candidates for coaching and front-office positions. He was a key figure in labor negotiations and league expansion.
He won six Super Bowls with the Steelers.
In 2009, President Obama appointed Rooney as the U.S. Ambassador to Ireland until he resigned in 2012.
Dan and his wife, Patricia had 9 children.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 13, 2017
R.I.P. To Mr. Rooney. Thank you for all the knowledge you gave and support. You will always be… https://t.co/DO0BemTR1y
— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) April 13, 2017
???????????? mr Rooney https://t.co/hVfvIL7jlD pic.twitter.com/ooJzZUx4WS
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) April 13, 2017
Thank u Mr. Rooney! Your legacy will go on. Ive been blessed 2 have the opportunity 2 know & speak w/ u. Steelers would not b the same w/o u pic.twitter.com/1cppfRINhg
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) April 13, 2017
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)