Dan Rooney
Myjobistodowhat’sbestfortheorganizationandtomakethatdecisionregardlessofwhattheconsequencesaretomepersonally…Itakemypositionveryseriously…whatIwantisanorganizationthatcanbetogether,onewhereeverybodyintheplacehasthesamegoal,andthatistowin.
Dan Rooney has served more than 45 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. A central figure in NFL operations over the past two decades, Dan assumed duties in the Steelers organization immediately following his graduation from Duquesne University in 1955.
Rooney, considered by many to be among the sports power elite, was the driving force behind many of the successes of the Pittsburgh franchise. Drawing upon his vast football and business experience, he modernized the often-struggling team through a management style, which emphasizes open, practical, and efficient administration.
The results have been obvious. From 1972 through his enshrinement into the Hall of Fame in 2000, the Steelers were AFC Central Division champions 14 times, AFC champions five times and won four Super Bowls. After working 20 years in various capacities with the Steelers, Rooney was appointed President of the franchise in 1975. As such he has used his considerable influence to protect the interests of his team.
| NFL.com:Rooney named U.S. Ambassador to Ireland | | --- |
When Three Rivers Stadium was being planned in the 1960s, Rooney fought for and got a dual-purpose stadium design, rather than a horseshoe shape that would have favored baseball. Born on July 20, 1932 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dan has been one of the most active figures in NFL operations. His league functions have included membership on the board of directors for the NFL Trust Fund, NFL Films, and the Scheduling Committee.
In 1973 he was appointed Chairman of the League’s Expansion Committee that added Seattle and Tampa Bay to the NFL in 1976. He was named Chairman of the Negotiating Committee in 1976, and in 1982 he contributed to the negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement for NFL owners and the Players Association. Recognized by both sides for his patience and reasonable voice of moderation, he again played a key role in the labor agreement reached in 1993 between the NFL owners and players. Rooney is currently a member of the eight-person Management Council Executive Committee, the Hall of Fame Committee, the NFL Properties Executive Committee, and the Player/Club Operations Committee.
