Pictures can capture moments in time, some of which are remembered and others never seen. Through “Picture Perfect”, Steelers.com shares historical Steelers photos, telling the story of the team over the years.
The first feature of the series showcases the late Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney in his office at Three Rivers Stadium. Art Rooney Sr., who lived nearby, considered it a home where he watched the team achieve success with four Super Bowl titles in six years.
His office, without a computer, relied on a phone and in-person conversations. The open-door policy allowed players to speak with him on various topics, including football and even horses.
Hall of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw recalled, “I would go in and visit with him all of the time. We talked horses. I lost a bet to him on a horse race, and I owed him a dollar and I put it in the fingers of a statue in his office. Somebody told me that same dollar bill was still there years later. You had to have a relationship, a close relationship, to have something like that happen.”
A significant item in the office was a steel football presented to Rooney by the United States Steel Corporation in 1982 for the Steelers’ 50th season. The Steelers later created a bronze replica to honor the team’s Hall of Honor members starting in 2017. Art Rooney II noted, “We wanted to do something to replicate the football that was given to my grandfather during that celebration. We feel that this will be something special to give to those we induct into the Hall of Honor and carry on the Steelers tradition.”
The office also displayed a key to the City of Pittsburgh, given by former Mayor Pete Flaherty in 1975, and numerous photos of family, players, and significant events. A photo of David L. Lawrence, former Mayor of Pittsburgh and Governor of Pennsylvania, reflected their close relationship. Lawrence was Rooney’s presenter at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In Lawrence’s speech, he described Rooney as, “the all-time, all-around sportsman, participant, promoter, fan, and benefactor.” He praised Rooney’s dedication, stating, “He has given more to sports and asked for less than any man in the game.” Lawrence concluded, “My pleasure to place the name of Arthur Rooney, a man without an enemy, in Football’s Hall of Fame.”
