The grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee and Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney has died at the age of 51. According to an obituary, Matthew Rooney passed away at his home in East Hampton on August 15. The cause of death has not been specified.
A spokesperson for the Steelers said in a statement to The New York Post, “The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew.”
Matthew Rooney was the son of JoAnn and John J. Rooney, who previously held a minority share in the Pittsburgh Steelers until selling most of his 16 percent stake in 2009. He was an alumnus of New York University and earned a master’s degree from Columbia University. According to the obituary, he lived in both New York and Los Angeles before settling in Brooklyn Heights and East Hampton.
The obituary describes Matthew as “a writer and artist, a lover of literature and passionate about ballet and opera”, adding that his “wit, charm and love of fashion made him one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bon Vivant.”
Matthew Rooney is survived by his mother, four older siblings, 15 nieces and nephews, as well as 18 great-nieces and great-nephews.
The Rooney family has played an important role in professional football since Art Rooney led the Pittsburgh Steelers into the National Football League in 1933. Art served as chairman and owner until his death in 1988. His son, Dan Rooney, became team president in 1975, remaining in that position until his own passing in 2002 when Art Rooney II assumed ownership and serves today as president.
Family members are expected to gather for a funeral mass and burial in Pennsylvania on Aug. 21.
