Matthew Rooney, the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Art Rooney Sr., has died at age 51. The Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed his death on Friday, August 15 at his home in the Hamptons, according to a statement provided to the New York Post.
“The Rooney Family is mourning the loss of Matthew,” a Steelers spokesperson said in a statement to the newspaper.
The cause of death was not made public as of Thursday. Rooney was born in Pennsylvania and was the son of JoAnn Wallace Rooney and John J. Rooney, who previously held a minority ownership stake in the franchise until 2009.
Rooney attended New York University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to earn a master’s degree at Columbia University. According to an obituary shared by R.L. Williams, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., he was described as a writer and artist with interests in 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,” the obituary states.
A funeral mass will be held on Thursday morning with burial to follow privately.
Art Rooney Sr., who established the Steelers in 1933, served as owner during the club’s first four Super Bowl victories. He was succeeded by his late son Dan Rooney from 1988 to 2016. Leadership then passed to Art Rooney II, the current majority owner.
