Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers gave an honest answer when asked what’s he’s looking forward to most in the Ireland trip.
“Guinness. Guinness on tap is my favorite beer in the world,” the four-time NFL MVP said.
In all seriousness, it’s an honor for Rodgers to represent the Steelers in Ireland, especially with how much it means to the Rooney family.
“This game means a lot to all of us, to the league, to the Rooney family. So we want to represent the team and the Rooney legacy well,” Rodgers said. “It’s great for the game, to grow the game, so many countries. To be a part of the first (regular season) game in Ireland is pretty cool.
“I have Irish heritage, so very excited to get out there. As far as the travel goes, it is what it is. If you got to get up on Friday and stay awake all day, you should be feeling pretty good Saturday.”
The Steelers are leaving for Dublin after Thursday’s practice. Unlike the Steelers’ last international trip to London in 2013, the NFL dictated when the Steelers could travel to Ireland.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will have the late Dan Rooney in his thoughts when the Steelers play the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland on Sunday. He knows how much Rooney cared about the Emerald Isle.
“I think a lot about the late Ambassador (Dan) Rooney and how fired up he would be about this trip, and how important the development of this trip was for him,” Tomlin said. “And so I’ve been thinking a lot about it. I’m sure I’ll be thinking a lot about it this week, and I certainly will be thinking a lot about him when we’re there.
“Man, you talk about a guy who certainly had a lot of passion for Ireland, and obviously for the Steelers, and then serving as ambassador to Ireland. I’m sure he’s going to be smiling down at us this weekend.”
Not only do the Steelers have marketing rights to the area, but the late Dan Rooney served as a U.S. Ambassador under President Barack Obama. He served in this position from 2009-2012.
Dan Rooney also co-founded The Ireland Fund in 1976 to promote and support peace, culture, education, and community development throughout the island of Ireland and Irish-related causes around the world.
Croke Park played host to a preseason game between the Steelers and Chicago Bears back in 1997. That was the only other time that the Steelers have played in Ireland. Sunday will be the first regular season game played in Ireland.
It will be the first time a game between two teams has been playing in three different countries. The last time the Steelers played an international game was, coincidentally, against the Vikings on Sept. 29, 2013 in London.
The Vikings will play in Dublin against the Steelers in Week 4, before returning to London to face the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 5. They’ll be the [first...
