A public viewing was held for Steelers' owner Dan Rooney at Heinz Field. Mr. Rooney died Thursday after a brief illness. He was 84.
The viewing took place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the PNC Champions Club inside the stadium, on the North Shore.
On Tuesday, a funeral Mass is scheduled at 11 a.m. at Saint Paul Cathedral in Oakland, 108 North Dithridge St.
Among those expected to attend is former President Barack Obama.
The family is asking that memorial contributions be made to Mr. Rooney's alma mater, Duquesne University, or the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Mr. Rooney is survived by his wife, Patricia, and seven of the couple's nine children.
Here are the latest dispatches from Monday's service:
Updated at 7 p.m.
‘HE ALWAYS MADE YOU FEEL LIKE A PITTSBURGHER’
Former Pirates manager Jim Leyland reflected on Dan Rooney outside the public viewing at Heinz Field today.
Former Pirates manager Jim Leyland reflects on Dan Rooney outside the public viewing at Heinz Field today. @PittsburghPG @PGSportsNow pic.twitter.com/obSmkJvY1l
— Matt Freed (@mattfreedpghpg) April 17, 2017
Updated at 4:15 p.m.
A SMALL THANK YOU TO A MAN WHO BROUGHT JOY
With a Steelers pin fixed to her lapel, Sister JoAnn Knabel of Bellevue exited Heinz Field feeling as if she said goodbye to an old friend rather than just the owner of her favorite football team.
Ms. Knabel, who said she had a chance to meet Mr. Rooney and even get a good look at his Super Bowl rings, chatted with his son and current president Art Rooney II, as well as other family members.
"I generally don't do this," she said. "But I just wanted to do that for him. He just enjoyed people, was always generous. It was just a joy to be with him."
Updated at 3:53 p.m.
ROONEY REMEMBERED FOR HUMILITY, FAITH
A man of deep faith, Mr. Rooney surely would have been happy to see Bishop David Zubik cycle through the crowd of Steelers fans and proud Pittsburgh natives.
Bishop Zubik noted how important faith was to Mr. Rooney, who never missed mass on Sunday no matter where his team was playing.
"He was just such a humble man," he said. "I think any time we were together, it was always just such an easy conversation. He was just such a quintessential Pittsburgher, able to rub shoulders with anybody."
Bishop Zubik also mentioned that one of Mr. Rooney's greatest contributions to the NFL, the Rooney Rule — which mandates that league front offices interview at least one minority candidate for head-coaching positions and other roles — is an example worth following.
"I think that's something every religion can learn from," he said.
Updated at 3:45 p.m.
ONE ICON TO ANOTHER
The final goodbyes for one Pittsburgh sports luminary brought out another, former Pirates manager Jim Leyland.
Mr. Leyland, who just last month served as manager of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, attended the viewing with his wife, Katie, and received admiration from some stray Pirates fans after expressing his own for Mr. Rooney.
"We've been friends with the family ever since we've been here," he said. "We just wanted to come pay our respects like any Pittsburgher would do."
Updated at 3:02 p.m.
PAYING RESPECTS TO A FORMER BOSS
Nothing would stop Paul Uram, 90, from making it down from Butler to the North Shore this afternoon.
Mr. Uram was a special teams coach for the Steelers from 1973-81 and has had health problems, but said he simply "had to come" to pay tribute to Mr. Rooney.
"Dan, he was close to everybody. Coaches, players, regardless, anybody who worked in the organization, Dan was always there," Mr. Uram said. "People always came first; Dan was last. I had all the respect in the world for him."
Updated at 2:35 p.m.
THE TIE THAT BINDS
One of the first visitors to exit was Doug MacPhail, sporting a football-patterned bowtie he said was given to him by Mr. Rooney about a year and a half ago. The two had long attended the same 7:30 a.m. mass at St. Mary of Mercy Church Downtown and Mr. Rooney wanted him to have it.
It was a no-brainer for Mr. MacPhail, 64 of Franklin Park, to wear it today.
"It's not football season, but it is today because of Dan," he said.
He added that Mr. Rooney's family, including current Steelers chairman Art Rooney II and son Dan Jr., the team’s player personnel coordinator, are inside greeting all comers.
Douglas MacPhail of Franklin Park adjusts the bow tie he said Dan Rooney gave him. Mr. MacPhail was in line outside Heinz Field on Monday to pay his respects to Mr. Rooney, who died Thursday. (Steph Chambers/Post-Gazette)
Updated at 2 p.m.
ATTENDEES BEGINNING TO ARRIVE
About 10 minutes from the 2 p.m. start time for Mr. Rooney's public memorial service, approximately 100 people — clad in both suits and Steelers attire — have lined up outside Heinz Field.
Some in line are chatting about the franchise's marquee moments, such as when they drafted quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Others are simply waiting patiently in Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell jerseys.
Terrible towels hang from their waists and dot the ties of those who showed up in more formal wear. All are preparing to pay their respects to Mr. Rooney, who, through his football team, helped bring so much fame and success to the city.
Flowers rest in the arms of the Art Rooney Sr. statue in front of Heinz Field on the North Shore Monday morning. (Darrell Sapp/Post-Gazette)
First Published: April 17, 2017, 9:53 a.m.
Updated: April 17, 2017, 11:37 p.m.
