DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney dead at 84

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Pittsburgh Steelers owner and former United States Ambassador Dan Rooney died Thursday at age 84.

“Few men have contributed as much to the National Football League as Dan Rooney,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he was one of the finest men in the history of our game and it was a privilege to work alongside him for so many years. Dan’s dedication to the game, to the players and coaches, to his beloved Pittsburgh, and to Steelers fans everywhere was unparalleled.

“A voice of reason on a wide range of topics, including diversity and labor relations, Dan always had the league’s best interests at heart. For my part, Dan’s friendship and counsel were both inspiring and irreplaceable. My heart goes out to Patricia, Art, and the entire Rooney family on the loss of this extraordinary man.”
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Rooney fought to give more minority coaches an opportunity in the NFL, which later adopted the Rooney Rule in his honor. The rule requires teams to interview at least one minority candidate for head coach.

Rooney took over control of the team from his father, Art, in 1969. One of his best decisions was when he hired Chuck Noll as head coach in 1969, giving Noll control over personnel and the draft.

The decision paid huge dividends as the Steelers morphed into a dynasty in the 1970s, as they captured four Super Bowl titles in the decade. Though the Steelers struggled in the ’80s, Rooney brought them back to prominence after hiring Bill Cowher as Noll’s successor in 1992.

A cause of death was unclear.

I remember taking my son Edwin to Steelers training camp when he was 8, where they practiced at Latrobe High School in Latrobe PA. The team had a special free camp for the kids. All of the kids got lots of autographs.


Dan Rooney himself spoke to all of the kids at the free camp,encouraging them to be good in school, and that maybe someday some of them might become Pittsburgh Steelers.

A class act, seemed like a genuinely good guy. RIP Dan.

RIP

Despite the rivalry and all that, you have to respect folks like Rooney that can come in and have success like he did as well as have the impact that he did.

Godspeed, Mr. Rooney. Thanks for sticking up for us back in the dark days of the move to Baltimore.

RIP

Glad people are being classy. Rooney was a class guy in my estimation.

A legendary owner, RIP. Your mind immediately turns to, what will this mean for the franchise?

As much as I hate the Steelers, it's just a sports rivalry and all in good fun.

I'd like to second the statement Dave made about Mr. Rooney voting against The Move. If I remember correctly, he was the only one.

Thank you for that Mr. Rooney.

RIP sir.

Actually Ralph Wilson of the Bills voted against The Move too! Thank you for all of your very classy responses. Dan Rooney will definitely be missed

Thank you, didn't know that.

Mr Rooney always was a classy man, and I want to just reiterate that he was one of only 2 (IIRC) owners to vote against Modell when he wanted to move. I really respected the way he stood up for the fans of his biggest rival.

RIP Mr Rooney. My condolences to his family and friends.

One of two owners that voted NO on the Browns move. He always put the league first and the franchise second. A class act for sure. While I hate the Steelers I absolutely respected Mr. Rooney. His like will not be seen again.

RIP sir

Truly one of the good ones. An owner that grew up with football as the center piece of his life. Saw a story on NFL channel that made me like him even more. RIP Mr. Rooney.

Sad day in football. He was a great owner and a truly great man. His legacy will live on. RIP, Mr. Rooney.

Classy owner. Thoughts and prayers to the Rooney family.

RIP Mr. Rooney

Great leaders identify great leaders..... RIP Mr. Rooney and thanks for having our backs in 1995.

RIP Dan. My condolences to the family.