Behind the Steel Curtain
Rooney is credited with helping the Steelers draft Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers scouting director Tim Rooney has passed away at the age of 84 after a “short battle” with cancer, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported July 8.
Tim Rooney was the nephew of Steelers founder and owner Art Rooney Sr. He was hired in 1972 as the team’s director of pro scouting.
As reported by the Post-Gazette, he “is often credited” with helping the team draft Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert. In that 1974 draft alone, Rooney’s front office landed four Hall of Famers and a fifth in undrafted free agency.
During the Steelers’ 1970s dynasty, Rooney was a key architect of a roster that would win four Super Bowls in six years.
Then, from 1985-99, Rooney won two more Super Bowls as the New York Giants’ director of pro personnel.
“He was an accomplished evaluator. More importantly, he was a great person and colleague,” read a statement from Giants President John Mara.
