As of Thursday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers have announced that owner Dan Rooney, has died at the age of 84.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 13, 2017
Rooney, one of the most powerful and beloved owners in all of sports, was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and is a part of the founding families of the NFL.
Among a long list of achievements that most notably included a record 6 Super Bowl titles, he helped settle two players’ strikes, served on many league committees and was a confidante and adviser to three commissioners, almost coming close to being one during his career. Rooney even fought for more opportunities for minority coaches to ascend in the NFL, a push that has now turned into a rule we know as the Rooney rule.
Outside of football, Rooney took on the responsibility being the United States Ambassador to Ireland, appointed by President Barack Obama at 76 years old.
