Dan Rooney was born on July 20, 1932, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Art Rooney, founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He grew up on the North Side. He helped his father at games and practices. He played quarterback at North Catholic High School. He coached youth football. He studied accounting at Duquesne University.
Rooney joined the Steelers full-time in 1960 becoming general manager in 1969. That same year, he hired Chuck Noll. The team drafted Joe Greene. Rooney took over daily operations in the 1970s. He became team president in 1975, and helped to lead it to the six Super Bowl wins.
He was patient with coaches. He backed Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher during losing seasons. He chose Mike Tomlin in 2007. Rooney helped shape the NFL salary cap and labor deals. He pushed for minority hiring and led to the Rooney Rule, being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000.
Outside football, Dan Rooney was U.S. Ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012. He co-founded The Ireland Funds. He stepped back from team duties in the 2010s. His son Art Rooney II took over.
He died on April 13, 2017.
Dan Rooney oversaw 21 division titles and 6 Super Bowl titles over his 61-season Hall of Fame career as an owner/executive.
Rooney’s leadership as owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers was pivotal in the team securing six Super Bowl titles.
