Patricia Rooney, wife of late Steelers chairman, remembered as 'pillar of strength and grace'

For the NFL’s 100th anniversary season in 2019, the NFL commissioned a documentary examining the lives of four women in influential ownership families. Titled “A Lifetime of Sundays,” it included Patricia Rooney, wife of former Pittsburgh Steelers chairman and Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney.

It showed how each woman — Virginia Halas McCaskey of the Chicago Bears, Norma Hunt of the Kansas City Chiefs and Martha Ford of the Detroit Lions were the others — interacted with their families and the role they had in their organization.

In an anecdote recounted on the Pro Football Hall of Fame website, one instance showed Patricia Rooney’s sense of humor. It was during a panel discussion at the 2018 NFL annual meeting that she applauded the Philadelphia Eagles for winning their first Super Bowl and reminded the audience that the Eagles and Steelers once teamed up to form the 1943 Steagles.

McCaskey interrupted and said, “You have enough trophies, Pat.”

Proud owner of six Lombardi Trophies, Rooney had a quick retort: “There’s always room for one more.”

Rooney’s spirit, compassion and pride for her community were among the attributes named after she died Saturday night at her North Side home. She was 88.

Gayle Benson wasn’t one of the women featured in the documentary, but as the principal owner of the New Orleans Saints, she was among the first NFL representatives to send out a statement about Rooney’s death.

Benson called Rooney “a pillar of strength and grace and proudly represented not only the Steelers, but also the millions of female football fans around the world. We share in the sadness and sorrow that the Rooney family is experiencing and hope for grace, mercy and healing in this most difficult time.”

Bishop David Zubik called Rooney a “model of quiet strength, grace and faith as she raised her family while aiding community causes and supporting her husband.” He recounted how during much of the Rooneys’ 65-year marriage, they resided in the North Side home that Steelers founder Art Rooney Sr. initially had purchased.

The Rooneys “made sure the family got to Mass, game or no game,” Zubik said in a statement. “She taught humility and kindness by demonstrating it daily. Her commitment to public service was as strong as her husband’s, whether in Pittsburgh or in Ireland during his years of ambassadorship.

“Mrs. Rooney exemplified quiet leadership here in Steelers country and beyond.”

Many NFL organizations released statements upon learning of Rooney’s passing, while local political and educational leaders also expressed condolences Sunday.

Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said Rooney “embodied the spirit of Pittsburgh in how she lived her life. She impacted everyone she met, and inspired and nurtured in her own uniquely genuine way.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s wife, Jane, spearheaded the “Lifetime of Sundays” documentary and spent considerable time around Rooney during its filming.

“Patricia represented the Rooney family and Steelers with extraordinary grace, dignity and integrity,” the Goodells said in a statement. “Patricia was passionately devoted to her family, the wonderful family she and Dan raised and adored, the Pittsburgh community and the Steelers organization. She was also one of the most passionate football fans you could ever meet and very proud of the number of female fans around the world.

“We will greatly miss her as will many people whose lives she touched throughout her community, and the NFL.”