Dan Rooney Obituary

Dan Rooney, the chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers, died Thursday, April 13, 2017, according to the team. He was 84. The son of Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr., Rooney had worked with the team since 1955, filling roles from director of personnel to president to chairman.

It was in 1975 that he took on the role of president, which he held until he became chairman in 2002, transferring the presidency to his son. The Steelers would win further Super Bowls with Rooney as chairman, in 2005 and 2008. Rooney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Outside of football, Rooney was appointed U.S. ambassador to Ireland in 2009 by President Barack Obama. He served as ambassador until 2012. In 2016, the Jackie Robinson Foundation honored Rooney with its award honoring lifetime achievement.