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Thousands attend public viewing for Dan Rooney

PITTSBURGH — A public viewing was held Monday at Heinz Field for Steelers' chairman Dan Rooney.

Thousands of people filed through the PNC Champions Club to pay their respects.

RELATED: Former President Obama to attend Dan Rooney's funeral; road closures expected

“He was the son of Pittsburgh,” said Aaron Watt, who’s been a Steelers fan for more than 50 years. “He was what Pittsburgh embodied. He brought different things in, you know, race. The Rooney rule was very important throughout the NFL. Something like that tells me that he not only was important to Pittsburgh but important to this nation."

Donald Lawbenski is from Philadelphia, but he’s a Steelers fan because of Rooney.

“His love of people. He always took the time out to hear your problems, figure them out if he could and wouldn't turn his back on you,” he said.

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Many people were dressed in Steelers’ black and gold, including Mike and Rachel Harris, a father and daughter from McCandless.

“I think he was very instrumental in how the Steelers were built and what they are today,” Mike Harris said.

“He deserves a lot of respect for what he did for the game,” Rachel Harris said.

Rooney is remembered as a man of the people who touched countless lives, including the life of Ron Dreshman. He worked as a stadium vendor for 44 years. Dreshman called Rooney a class act who acknowledged everyone.

“I met him a couple of times,” Dreshman said. “Just a lovely person. So cordial. It’s important in his life to be that way.”

Josie McClellan worked at the church the Rooneys attended. She said in all the years she spoke with Dan and his wife, football was never the topic of conversation.

“I always say, ‘I wish you a lot of luck and I hope your team wins’ and that, but I don't know that much about football,” she said.

Bishop David Zubik grew up in Pittsburgh, rooting for the Steelers and appreciating that Dan Rooney was one of us.

“I think Dan, for all his accomplishments and there were so many of them on so many different levels. He was successful as a husband and a father, as a grandfather, as a businessman leader and in government, and yet, he never pulled rank,” Zubik said.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington, D.C., will attend Tuesday’s Mass for Rooney. He’s the former bishop of the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese.

Zubik will give the homily.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Duquesne University or the United Way of Southwest Pennsylvania.

Rooney is survived by his wife, Patricia, and seven of their nine children.

Cox Media Group

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