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Dan Rooney: My 75 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL
In 2007, the Pittsburgh Steelers will turn seventy-five years old. So will Dan Rooney. In Dan Rooney, the owner talks about growing up on Pittsburgh’s North Side, competing with Johnny Unitas for top high school quarterback honors in western Pennsylvania, learning the ropes of big-time sports from his father and mentor, Art Rooney (“the Chief”), helping to shape the modern NFL into America’s all-consuming passion, and forging the Steelers into a Super Bowl-winning dynasty. He also speaks frankly about winning and losing, and discusses his relationships with family, coaches, players, owners, NFL commissioners, the media, and the fans-“Steeler Nation.” It’s all here: the difficult contract negotiations, controversial decisions, memorable teams, and many behind-the-scenes stories of the growth of America’s favorite game. A dedicated family man and proud native of Pittsburgh, this chairman of one of the most successful franchises ever reveals the dynamics that have made him such a respected owner in the NFL.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2007
22 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Dan Rooney
9 booksDaniel Rooney was chairman of the Pittsburgh Steelers which was founded by his father, Art. Rooney was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000 for his contributions to the game. Rooney served as the United States Ambassador to Ireland, from July 2009 until his resignation in December 2012.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 23, 2009
This is the biography of America's Ambassador to Ireland... but it's interesting because before he became the Ambassador he was the President of the Pittsburgh Steelers. This is his story, and is essentially the story of the entire NFL and the great city of Pittsburgh.
Some fun facts:
Art "The Chief" Rooney, Dan's dad and founder of the Steelers, was such a good boxer he was invited to box for the US in the Olympics. For some reason that I can't remember, he couldn't make it, but he ended up boxing the gold medal champion after the games and won.
Burt Bell, an original co-owner of the Steelers (and, for a time, the Philadelphia Eagles) and the original NFL commissioner, coined the phrase about how "any given team can win on any given Sunday."
Dan Rooney was the 2nd team all-catholic QB in Pittsburgh. The first: Johnny Unitas.
Dan Ronney was also offered a football scholarship to Villanova, which he turned down to attened Duquense in Pittsburgh which then promptly dropped its football program. He had a promising pro career ahead of him, but couldn't stand to leave Pittsburgh so he want straight into managing the team.
Dan knew Jack Lambert was Steeler material when he scouted a practice that was moved into a gravel parking lot and Jack still was diving all over the place to make tackles, pausing only to remove the rocks that became embedded in his skin between plays.
Some fun facts:
Art "The Chief" Rooney, Dan's dad and founder of the Steelers, was such a good boxer he was invited to box for the US in the Olympics. For some reason that I can't remember, he couldn't make it, but he ended up boxing the gold medal champion after the games and won.
Burt Bell, an original co-owner of the Steelers (and, for a time, the Philadelphia Eagles) and the original NFL commissioner, coined the phrase about how "any given team can win on any given Sunday."
Dan Rooney was the 2nd team all-catholic QB in Pittsburgh. The first: Johnny Unitas.
Dan Ronney was also offered a football scholarship to Villanova, which he turned down to attened Duquense in Pittsburgh which then promptly dropped its football program. He had a promising pro career ahead of him, but couldn't stand to leave Pittsburgh so he want straight into managing the team.
Dan knew Jack Lambert was Steeler material when he scouted a practice that was moved into a gravel parking lot and Jack still was diving all over the place to make tackles, pausing only to remove the rocks that became embedded in his skin between plays.
April 3, 2008
Rooney tells of growing up on the North Side in Pittsburgh, and gave an insider's look to the formation and growth of both the NFL and the Steelers.
In a sense it was also a business book as Rooney discussed situations, decisions, and outcomes along with some hindsight and examples of how earlier 'mistakes' led to future 'corrections'.
Couldn't imagine a Steelers fan who wouldn't enjoy this book.
In a sense it was also a business book as Rooney discussed situations, decisions, and outcomes along with some hindsight and examples of how earlier 'mistakes' led to future 'corrections'.
Couldn't imagine a Steelers fan who wouldn't enjoy this book.
June 21, 2008
more than just a history of the steelers. easy and fascinating read for anyone who loves football and/or the pittsburgh steelers.
yes, you can take the girl out of western PA, but you can't take the western PA out of the girl....
yes, you can take the girl out of western PA, but you can't take the western PA out of the girl....
November 15, 2007
A great story told with no pretense and artifice. Quite befitting the Charirman of the Steelers.
April 20, 2023
RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “AN INTIMATE PERSONAL LOOK BEHIND THE “STEEL CURTAIN”!
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I want to preface this review with the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers are not my favorite professional football team, but when they’re not playing my favorite team I do root for them to win. One of the main reasons is that I’ve always felt that the city of Pittsburgh and the people of Pittsburgh represent the heart and inner strength of “blue-collar” America. One of the reasons my life revolved around sports, is because at a young age my Father told me: “It doesn’t matter what your Father does for a living, what type of clothes you wear, whether you have a diploma on the wall or not, and no matter what type of accent you speak with, that when you’re on an athletic field, it’s you against them, and if you’re better you’ll win!” I was an underdog and so was Pittsburgh, and neither one of us ever stopped striving to win.
This book is the autobiography of Dan Rooney, the son of the “The Chief”, Art Rooney Sr. the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dan, whose 75 years of life coincides with the historical growth of the National Football League (NFL) from a rough scrabble “seat of the pants” operation to becoming the most popular game in America, in addition to becoming a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
The beauty of the author’s storytelling is that despite Dan being a Pittsburgh Steeler all his life, his story is told with total honesty and compassion for all sides (teams) involved. Dan came from an Irish Catholic family and when I read about his youth, I closed my eyes, and as I imagined a movie being made about his life, I could only imagine one actor in the history of the cinema that would be perfectly cast in the lead role... “Jimmy Cagney”! Dan takes us from his childhood which included him being at the knees of NFL legends such as Papa Bear Halas, Bert Bell and other NFL founders who now all reside as does Dan in the Hall Of Fame, all the way through to the Steelers’ five Super Bowl Championships. What gives this story so much more emotional impact than most biographies, is the reader can’t fail but notice how unflinchingly Dan admits his and his team’s mistakes as easily and as openly as most biographers gloat about their successes. To me one of the most endearing traits of Dan’s is how many times he agonizes on how the Steelers’ didn’t keep, in his own words; “THE GREATEST QUARTERBACK OF ALL-TIME JOHNNY UNITAS!” They drafted him but never gave “Johnny U” a chance, then cut him. And the rest is history!
In the first few pages of the book Dan says that on December 23, 1972 with 22 seconds left on the clock in a game between the Oakland Raiders and his beloved Steelers that “THE MOST INCREDIBLE PLAY HE EVER SAW” took place: “THE IMMACULATE RECEPTION!” Over 200 pages later he states: “I BELIEVE THE IMMACULATE RECEPTION IS THE SINGLE GREATEST PLAY IN NFL HISTORY!”
By the end of this book, the reader realizes that you’ve gotten to know a unique individual, that despite being in a most competitive business is known for his dignity and integrity. When I finished reading Dan’s story, I realized I read much more than the sports biography I thought I was going to read. What this book really is, is an open love letter to Dan’s family, to the people of Pittsburgh, the State Of Pennsylvania, the Steeler players and fans, and to all NFL fans in the world. If you want to learn the history of the NFL this is the book for you. Or if you’re simply tired of reading about all the spoiled, pampered, criminal elements in sports today, and want to simply read about a good man, then you’ve hit the “mother-lode” with this book.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to preface this review with the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers are not my favorite professional football team, but when they’re not playing my favorite team I do root for them to win. One of the main reasons is that I’ve always felt that the city of Pittsburgh and the people of Pittsburgh represent the heart and inner strength of “blue-collar” America. One of the reasons my life revolved around sports, is because at a young age my Father told me: “It doesn’t matter what your Father does for a living, what type of clothes you wear, whether you have a diploma on the wall or not, and no matter what type of accent you speak with, that when you’re on an athletic field, it’s you against them, and if you’re better you’ll win!” I was an underdog and so was Pittsburgh, and neither one of us ever stopped striving to win.
This book is the autobiography of Dan Rooney, the son of the “The Chief”, Art Rooney Sr. the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dan, whose 75 years of life coincides with the historical growth of the National Football League (NFL) from a rough scrabble “seat of the pants” operation to becoming the most popular game in America, in addition to becoming a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
The beauty of the author’s storytelling is that despite Dan being a Pittsburgh Steeler all his life, his story is told with total honesty and compassion for all sides (teams) involved. Dan came from an Irish Catholic family and when I read about his youth, I closed my eyes, and as I imagined a movie being made about his life, I could only imagine one actor in the history of the cinema that would be perfectly cast in the lead role... “Jimmy Cagney”! Dan takes us from his childhood which included him being at the knees of NFL legends such as Papa Bear Halas, Bert Bell and other NFL founders who now all reside as does Dan in the Hall Of Fame, all the way through to the Steelers’ five Super Bowl Championships. What gives this story so much more emotional impact than most biographies, is the reader can’t fail but notice how unflinchingly Dan admits his and his team’s mistakes as easily and as openly as most biographers gloat about their successes. To me one of the most endearing traits of Dan’s is how many times he agonizes on how the Steelers’ didn’t keep, in his own words; “THE GREATEST QUARTERBACK OF ALL-TIME JOHNNY UNITAS!” They drafted him but never gave “Johnny U” a chance, then cut him. And the rest is history!
In the first few pages of the book Dan says that on December 23, 1972 with 22 seconds left on the clock in a game between the Oakland Raiders and his beloved Steelers that “THE MOST INCREDIBLE PLAY HE EVER SAW” took place: “THE IMMACULATE RECEPTION!” Over 200 pages later he states: “I BELIEVE THE IMMACULATE RECEPTION IS THE SINGLE GREATEST PLAY IN NFL HISTORY!”
By the end of this book, the reader realizes that you’ve gotten to know a unique individual, that despite being in a most competitive business is known for his dignity and integrity. When I finished reading Dan’s story, I realized I read much more than the sports biography I thought I was going to read. What this book really is, is an open love letter to Dan’s family, to the people of Pittsburgh, the State Of Pennsylvania, the Steeler players and fans, and to all NFL fans in the world. If you want to learn the history of the NFL this is the book for you. Or if you’re simply tired of reading about all the spoiled, pampered, criminal elements in sports today, and want to simply read about a good man, then you’ve hit the “mother-lode” with this book.
February 19, 2023
Gut Instinct Rating: 5
Engagement of Book: 5
Accomplishment/Delivery of Book: 5
Interest/Entertainment Level: 5
Audiobook Narration: N/A
Overall: 5🏳️🌈
•
CW: Football, NFL
•
Review: If you’ve followed me a while, you know I’m a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan. So it was only fitting that I add in some non-fiction about our former Steelers President. His son has since taken over, and he’s passed away, but this was a genuine look at the foundation of how the Steelers, and the NFL, came to be. If you’re a football fan, the first half of the book really tracks how important the Rooney family was, specifically Art Rooney (Dan’s father), in creating the NFL as we know it. The hard hitting Steelers are more than just a football team, but a way of life.
“I think I broke my leg coach!” “Well get back in there until you find out for sure!”
“Colorful yellow, red, and blue symbols representing how steel ‘lightens your work, brightens your leisure, and widens your world.’”
“When you play Pittsburgh, you play the whole city.”
Engagement of Book: 5
Accomplishment/Delivery of Book: 5
Interest/Entertainment Level: 5
Audiobook Narration: N/A
Overall: 5🏳️🌈
•
CW: Football, NFL
•
Review: If you’ve followed me a while, you know I’m a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan. So it was only fitting that I add in some non-fiction about our former Steelers President. His son has since taken over, and he’s passed away, but this was a genuine look at the foundation of how the Steelers, and the NFL, came to be. If you’re a football fan, the first half of the book really tracks how important the Rooney family was, specifically Art Rooney (Dan’s father), in creating the NFL as we know it. The hard hitting Steelers are more than just a football team, but a way of life.
“I think I broke my leg coach!” “Well get back in there until you find out for sure!”
“Colorful yellow, red, and blue symbols representing how steel ‘lightens your work, brightens your leisure, and widens your world.’”
“When you play Pittsburgh, you play the whole city.”
November 8, 2017
Full disclosure: I am a lifelong Steelers fan, so this was in my "wheelhouse." I loved the book and couldn't put it down. There was a great run down of the Steelers through the years, as well as a crash course on putting together an NFL Championship team. Rooney reveals the behind the scenes life of his family. Additionally, it is a fine memoir and completely covers the inner workings on the NFL (pre-concussion revelations, as it was released in 2007). The only thing I didnt like about the book were the overly-saccharine descriptions of some of the players as the book drew to a close. That wasnt enough to stop me from giving it a 5 star rating.
October 18, 2021
Even though I have been a Pittsburgher all my life, this book was so interesting. Going through with history and a great story about a truly wonderful man and his family. If you love Pittsburgh, the Steelers or anything doing with history this is your book.
August 19, 2019
For a novice writer, Dan's Rooney's biography was truly well written and very entertaining! A must for any Steelers Fan.
January 18, 2021
As a life long Steelers fan this was a great read. Full of history and insight on the storied franchise that dons the black and gold.
June 21, 2024
As a huge Steelers (pronounced Stillers by locals) fan, I had to read this. Some things I didn't know about.
March 1, 2025
I loved reading about the Rooney family and the beginning and evolution of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL
June 3, 2015
Review title: The Rooney Rules
Dan Rooney is the same age as the Pittsburgh Steelers his father Art started as one of the founding franchises of the NFL, which outgrew its birthplace in a Canton, OH car dealer into a multi billion dollar industry bigger than most countries. So he grew up with the league, and is able to tell nearly the whole history of the league in first person.
The Rooneys, the team, and the city are inextricably linked, an amazing success story that transcends sports, finances, and politics. When cynical commentators say that sports is all about the money, and when you look up from the sometimes ugly headlines on the sports pages (your team's hero taking drugs or getting arrested, your team's corporate "ownership group" pulling the team out for more money elsewhere) and are ready to believe them, lay down the paper and read Rooney's rules here. You will be reminded that sports can be about the better things, sometimes even the very best, the God gives us strength to do. The cynic will say that the Rooney's own only a small fraction of the Steelers today, which is true, but the honest thinker will reflect on the miracle that a family that was present at the creation of the league 80 years ago is still intimately and inseparably involved with the team and the community.
Along the way, you'll learn that Dan Rooney is a good listener, a smart business leader, and an honest and shrewd negotiator--not because of what he tells you, but from the results of his leadership of the team, within his family and in the community. You will also realize that the Steelers rivalry with the Raiders, and Rooney's personal animus toward their owner Al Davis, isn't just a media brainchild but a sincere and abiding dislike that stands out because it is so out of character. And while his appointment as U.S. ambassador to Ireland was still in the future when this book was written, you will learn that the position came out of Rooney's political and charitable work and wasn't a sinecure or political payoff.
Steelers fans and citizens of Western Pennsylvania (but I repeat myself) will have their love and respect for the family and the football team they call their own confirmed again.
Dan Rooney is the same age as the Pittsburgh Steelers his father Art started as one of the founding franchises of the NFL, which outgrew its birthplace in a Canton, OH car dealer into a multi billion dollar industry bigger than most countries. So he grew up with the league, and is able to tell nearly the whole history of the league in first person.
The Rooneys, the team, and the city are inextricably linked, an amazing success story that transcends sports, finances, and politics. When cynical commentators say that sports is all about the money, and when you look up from the sometimes ugly headlines on the sports pages (your team's hero taking drugs or getting arrested, your team's corporate "ownership group" pulling the team out for more money elsewhere) and are ready to believe them, lay down the paper and read Rooney's rules here. You will be reminded that sports can be about the better things, sometimes even the very best, the God gives us strength to do. The cynic will say that the Rooney's own only a small fraction of the Steelers today, which is true, but the honest thinker will reflect on the miracle that a family that was present at the creation of the league 80 years ago is still intimately and inseparably involved with the team and the community.
Along the way, you'll learn that Dan Rooney is a good listener, a smart business leader, and an honest and shrewd negotiator--not because of what he tells you, but from the results of his leadership of the team, within his family and in the community. You will also realize that the Steelers rivalry with the Raiders, and Rooney's personal animus toward their owner Al Davis, isn't just a media brainchild but a sincere and abiding dislike that stands out because it is so out of character. And while his appointment as U.S. ambassador to Ireland was still in the future when this book was written, you will learn that the position came out of Rooney's political and charitable work and wasn't a sinecure or political payoff.
Steelers fans and citizens of Western Pennsylvania (but I repeat myself) will have their love and respect for the family and the football team they call their own confirmed again.
December 28, 2011
Dan Rooney is the last of the men who were there at the birth of the NFL. This book details that beginning and as a Steeler fan and a Rooney family fan, I enjoyed every last bit of it. The Rooneys are a class act and this book shows where that grace and class was born. The book was written before Ben Roethlisberger's escapades so if you are interested in Mr. Rooney's take on that dark period of the Steeler history you will be disappointed.
An excellent read for any football fan and a must read for any Steeler fan!
I bought this book for my uncle, my father and my brother also.
An excellent read for any football fan and a must read for any Steeler fan!
I bought this book for my uncle, my father and my brother also.
September 4, 2012
Dan Rooney, the son of the founder of The Pittsburgh Steelers, is the same age as the organization. He watched his father, Art Rooney "The Chief" help form the NFL and The Steelers. Dan started out as a water boy and worked his way to President of the Steelers organization. He's been a devoted husband, father of nine, and advocate for positive change in the NFL. What an interesting book, especially for those of us who have grown up in Pittsburgh!
September 13, 2013
I am a native Pittsburgher born in the same part of town as the Rooney family, yet I do not share Dan Rooney's outlook. I especially find his tireless Irish American bravado particularly annoying. Ireland must ,indeed,be a wonderful country: St Pat got rid of the snakes, and they sent all thier assholes to live in America.
In short: too much Rooney, (I really don't care what you did on you family vaccination), and not enough Steelers.
In short: too much Rooney, (I really don't care what you did on you family vaccination), and not enough Steelers.
January 25, 2016
First I am a huge Steeler fan. I thought this would be a very interesting read about the Steelers and the NFL. I really could not get in to this book. The writing was weak and the story jumped around so much that it was very tough to read. I would not recommend this to anybody. It is by far the worse book that I have read in quite some time. No flow, weak writing, hard to follow. Just very disappointing.
January 9, 2009
Dan Rooney's Autobiography offers the reader an insider's view of the formation of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the growth of the NFL through the eyes of the man who's played a key role in every NFL decision for the past half-century. Although this book is not very well written it does contain many bits of inside information that I hadn't seen in other books.
October 8, 2016
A good book about the NFL and Steelers. Rooney gives a good overview and covers the high spots without getting bogged down in small details. A good discussion of the different people involved with the Steelers and NFL.
The coauthors talk about fact checking yet very early in the book they state Tom Harmon played at USC. Wonder what other little facts are wrong?
The coauthors talk about fact checking yet very early in the book they state Tom Harmon played at USC. Wonder what other little facts are wrong?
June 20, 2010
Rambling in some places and overall average as memoirs go. But if you're at all interested in sports, especially the history of the NFL-- not just the steelers -- as it unfolded behind the scenes from the beginning, I recommend.
September 8, 2008
You don't have to be a Steeler fan to enjoy this book, because it includes a lot of great history of the NFL itself. But it probably helps to be a fan of the Black and Gold!
April 16, 2009
It is a story about family, faith, and Steelers football.
July 9, 2009
Good insight into not just the Rooney family but the history of the NFL as well. Being a die-hard Steelers fan, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. But it's not just for Steelers fans.
Read
January 1, 2010Probably one of my most favorite books - great development of Steeler History and the Rooney's - re-read every fall
January 13, 2010
Great book about football and the NFL, but a must-read for true Pittsburgh fans!
Read
April 19, 2011People might tell you that you should write your life story they might be kissing your butt like they did Dan Rooney. If you are a Steelers fan then you might like this book otherwise stay away.
April 23, 2013
I enjoyed it simply because I am a Steeler fan. Not sure if it would be as well received by a passing fan or someone with just casual interest.
February 27, 2014
great book good history of the NFL and the steelers
May 27, 2012
I am not a sports fan but enjoyed this book as I quizzed my husband on his knowledge along the way.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews