What Happened To Dan Rooney: How Did He Die?

Dan Rooney, an American sports executive, had a net worth of $500 million at the time of his death on April 13, 2017. Dan Rooney, the son of renowned Pittsburgh Steelers founder Art Rooney, served as president, owner, and chairman of the Steelers organization.

How did Dan Rooney die?

Dan Rooney passed away at the age of 84 on April 13, 2017. His funeral in Pittsburgh was attended by former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State John Kerry. He was buried at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Cemetery in Ross Township, Pennsylvania.

He was remembered by both athletes and religious leaders for his modesty and leadership.

During his nearly eight decades with the Steelers, the team won six Super Bowls. Rooney also served as the United States ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012.

Pittsburgh Bishop David A. Zubik, who knew Rooney for 30 years and spent time with him before his death, said the Catholic football team executive “had business smarts, but more importantly, was very much quintessentially a Pittsburgher and was very humble about everything the Steelers were able to do.”

Steelers players responded to Rooney’s death on social media by mentioning his humility.

The bishop, who spoke with the local CBS affiliate, KDKA-TV, on April 13, claimed Rooney was inspired by his father, Art Rooney, the Steelers’ founding owner.

“There’s no question about it, Dan was really a beautiful reflection of his dad,” he went on to say.

The father and son were both inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Art Rooney in 1964 and Dan Rooney in 2000. Art Rooney II, the Steelers’ president since 2003, is the third-generation Rooney and one of Dan and Patricia Rooney’s nine children.

Rooney attended North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, where he played quarterback and halfback, and even explored becoming a priest. He started working for his father in 1955, after graduating from Duquesne University. He was chosen president of the Steelers in 1975 and served until 2003 when he became chairman and his son assumed the leadership.

He is also recognized for the Rooney Rule, a 2003 National Football League guideline requiring teams to have interviews with minority candidates for head coaching and senior football operations roles. The rule was named in honor of Rooney, who chaired the league’s diversity committee.