Dan M. Rooney

Dan M. Rooney
Official portrait, 2009
United States Ambassador to Ireland
In office
July 3, 2009 – December 14, 2012[1]
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byThomas C. Foley
Succeeded byKevin O'Malley
Personal details
Born
Daniel Milton Rooney

(1932-07-20)July 20, 1932
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 13, 2017(2017-04-13) (aged 84)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican[2]
Spouse
Patricia Regan
(m. 1952⁠–⁠2017)
Children9, including Art Rooney II
Parent(s)Art Rooney
Kathleen McNulty
RelativesRooney family
Kate Mara (grandniece)
Rooney Mara (grandniece)
Alma materDuquesne University
AwardsCBE (honorary)

American football career
Career information
High school:Cranberry (PA) North Catholic
College:Duquesne
Position:President/Owner
Career history
As an executive:
Career highlights and awards

Daniel Milton Rooney (July 20, 1932 – April 13, 2017) was an American professional football executive and diplomat best known for his association with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL),[3] and son of the Steelers' founder, Art Rooney. He held various roles within the organization, most notably as president, owner and chairman.

Rooney implemented a philosophy and management style that emphasized open, practical and efficient management. The Steelers were very successful during his tenure, winning 15 division championships, eight AFC Championships, and an NFL record six Super Bowl Championships. In 2000, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his contributions to the game. He was also credited with spearheading a requirement that NFL teams with head coach and general manager vacancies interview at least one minority candidate, which has become known as the "Rooney Rule".

Outside of football, Rooney served as the United States Ambassador to Ireland, from July 2009 until his resignation in December 2012.[4] He was also co-founder of the Ireland-related fundraising organization The Ireland Funds.[5]

  1. ^ "Ambassador Dan Rooney Resigns | Embassy of the United States Dublin, Ireland". Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  2. ^ "Obama remembers lifelong Republican Dan Rooney".
  3. ^ "Dan Rooney returns as Steelers' chairman". Retrieved April 14, 2017.
  4. ^ Rhee, Foon (March 17, 2009). "Obama nominates Dan Rooney as Irish ambassador". The Boston Globe. Retrieved March 17, 2009.
  5. ^ "Our History". irelandfunds.org. Retrieved April 14, 2017.