Penguins to honor late Steelers owner before Game 2

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins will honor longtime Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, who died Thursday, with a moment of silence before Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena on Friday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, SN, TVA Sports 2, ROOT, FS-O).

"Mr. Rooney was an amazing man who made such tremendous contributions to the NFL, the City of Pittsburgh and the people of our community," Penguins co-owner Mario Lemieux said. "I feel very fortunate to have known him. He impacted many of our lives, and he left a legacy that makes us all proud to be Pittsburghers."
Rooney was 84. He was born in 1932, the year before his father, Art Rooney Sr., purchased the Steelers. Dan Rooney became chairman and during eight decades with the Steelers they won the Super Bowl six times, most in NFL history.

"I did meet him a year ago at I believe it was the Dapper Dan [Dinner & Sports Auction] night and so I did have the privilege to meet him once, but I did not have the privilege to know him," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Rooney. "I have read a lot about him and listened to people like [Penguins president] David Morehouse and people that are more familiar with him speak of him, and he just seems like a person that personifies everything that's right about pro sports. He seemed to carry himself in such a professional way with humility in a selfless manner, and I think we can all learn from his legacy.
"Certainly I know that the city of Pittsburgh is very lucky to have the affiliation with someone of his stature."

Rooney was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He served in former President Barack Obama's administration as the United States ambassador to Ireland.
"He personified everything that's good about Pittsburgh," Morehouse told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "He was committed, humble, hard-working, loyal and never forgot where he came from. He's an example for all of us in how he lived his life and how he ran a sports team, which I think is one of the most successful sports teams in the history of sports."