Matthew Rooney, the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Art Rooney Sr., died last Friday at his home in the Hamptons at the age of 51. The Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed his passing to the New York Post on Aug. 21.
A spokesperson for the Steelers stated, “The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew.”
Rooney’s cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. Born in Pennsylvania, he was the son of JoAnn Wallace Rooney and John J. Rooney, who previously held a minority ownership stake in the Steelers until 2009.
According to his family’s obituary shared through R.L. Williams, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., Rooney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and a Master’s degree from Columbia University. He was described as a writer, artist, and admirer of ballet and opera.
“Matthew’s wit, charm and love of fashion made him one of life’s last true Dandies and an authentic Bon Vivant,” his family wrote in the obituary.
A funeral mass for Rooney is scheduled for Thursday morning, with private burial to follow.
Art Rooney Sr., who founded the Steelers in 1933, served as team owner during their first four Super Bowl wins. He was succeeded by his late son Dan Rooney from 1988 to 2016; Art Rooney II is now the team’s majority owner.
