Steelers chairman Rooney dies at 84
Hall of Famer made big impact
Dan Rooney, the powerful and popular Pittsburgh Steelers chairman whose name is attached to the NFL’s landmark initiative in minority hiring, died Thursday. He was 84.
The team announced his death, but details were not immediately available.
Rooney took over operation of the team in the 1960s from his father, Art, who founded the franchise. From there, Dan Rooney oversaw NFL championships for a team that had never even played in a league title game. Over the decades he became one of the most powerful and innovative forces within the game, developing the Rooney Rule under which NFL teams are required to interview minority candidates for coaching and front-office positions. He was a key figure in labor negotiations and league expansion.
In 2000, Dan Rooney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining his father. Dan Rooney’s son, Art II, has been the Steelers president since 2003, with Dan Rooney becoming chairman.
With superb drafts that led to the building of the Steel Curtain defense and a potent offense, Pittsburgh eventually saw nine mainstays from the 1970s dynasty, plus coach Chuck Noll, make the Hall of Fame.
Under Rooney, two stadiums were built in Pittsburgh, securing their place in a small market where they are sporting kings. Rooney’s ability to reach across status, class, race and gender made him beloved in a city that identifies itself with its teams with a passion few others can match.
A confidant of three commissioners, he played a major role in negotiations with the players union and in league expansion in 1976 to Seattle and Tampa. He also was involved in scheduling and realignment decisions.
Perhaps Rooney’s most lasting contribution to the NFL — and to sports in general — came with the Rooney Rule.
Then-Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and league lawyers recognized the need for a hiring policy that was fair and transparent; the NFL had many critics over the lack of minorities in high-profile jobs, particularly as head coaches.
Rooney was such a fixture in the Steel City that he regularly walked to home games. He mingled with fans, much as his father did before him.
“The Green Bay Packers are very saddened to hear of the passing of Dan Rooney,” said Packers President / CEO Mark Murphy. “It’s a great loss for the National Football League and the Pittsburgh Steelers. I don’t think any owner had a bigger impact on the modern NFL than Dan. He was always the voice of reason, had tremendous respect for players and looked out for the interest of our fans.”
Rooney also served as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-’12, becoming the first ambassador from the U.S. to visit each of Ireland’s 32 counties.
Scobee retires: Kicker Josh Scobee signed a one-day, ceremonial contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars and formally retired with the team that drafted him in 2004.
Scobee made 241 of 301 field goals, with most of his misses coming from beyond 40 yards, and finished his career with 1,046 points. His 1,022 points with Jacksonville are the most in team history.
Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell traded Scobee to Pittsburgh days before the 2015 season, after rookie Jason Myers won the job in training camp. Scobee missed four field goals with the Steelers and was released after four games.
He spent two months with New Orleans last year before getting released again.