Dan Rooney

[NorthCoast]

Ike Taylor serves as Dan Rooney pallbearer
Posted by Mike Florio on April 18, 2017, 12:55 PM EDT

Steelers chairman and Ambassador Dan Rooney is being laid to rest on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. One of the men who helped carry the casket was former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor.

Via multiple reports, Taylor joined seven of Mr. Rooney’s grandsons as the pallbearers.

Taylor had a close relationship with Mr. Rooney. The former Steeler explained the connection two years ago, during a visit to PFT Live.

“It was a mutual bond,” Taylor said. “I can’t even put into words, I can’t even explain. It was just something that just happened. Poppa Rooney took a liking to me. . . . For me, man, that was easy. For a guy of his stature to have a liking towards me. He’s seen plenty of football players come through that organization. Plenty. And still will see plenty of guys come through the organization. And for him just to have that bond and relationship with me, man, it felt like family. The Rooney family feels like family to me.”

It’s clear that the Rooney family feels the same way about Ike. Of all the players and coaches who came through the organization during Mr. Rooney’s tenure, Ike Taylor was the only one selected by the family to assist in the solemn and sacred process or carrying Mr. Rooney to his final resting place.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/04/18/ike-taylor-serves-as-dan-rooney-pallbearer/

We sometimes forget after all the contract, business, draft, league talk there is occasionally a quite human element in the NFL. Ike served the Pittsburgh Steelers well during his playing days, and Rooney apparently had a special connection with him. God Bless.

[Captain Lemming]

Ike Taylor in the hat and 7 of Dans Grandsons as pallbearers

Thank you for clarifying Ike is the one "in the hat".
Wasnt sure since they all are facing away from the camera


Seriously, really nice that the fam acknowledged Ikes special bond with Rooney in this way.
With all the players coming through the organization, that is some precious stuff being singled out as "family".

[BradshawsHairdresser]

Thank you for clarifying Ike is the one "in the hat".
Wasnt sure since they all are facing away from the camera


Seriously, really nice that the fam acknowledged Ikes special bond with Rooney in this way.
With all the players coming through the organization, that is some precious stuff being singled out as "family".

$$$$$$$
Although I have to wonder if they were sweating about whether Ike could do the job, what with his hands of stone.

[RuthlessBurgher]

2017-06-17 5:34 PM | Teresa Varley
Brown: 'I want to keep his memory alive'

There was excitement in the air on Saturday at Antonio Brown's second-annual 'Antonio Brown & Friends Softball Game,' which featured some of his teammates, including James Harrison, Mike Mitchell, Steven Johnson, Josh Dobbs and Cameron Sutton.

But it also served as an opportunity for Brown to honor a man who will always hold a special place in his heart, as he paid tribute to late Steelers' Chairman Dan Rooney.

"He meant everything to me, not only as an owner, but as a leader, as a role model, as someone who stood for high character and generosity as a person," said Brown. "It's difficult being around the practice facility knowing he isn't there. Not just how passionate he was about the game, but how passionate he was about people and having the right people here and doing the right thing.

"He always welcomed me with open arms, always had his door open for me to talk about anything. I am grateful I got the chance to know him on a personal level. I miss him."

A moment of silence was observed, players wore a memorial sleeve, a special bat was presented, as well as a painting featuring an image of Rooney and Brown. The painting was auctioned off to continue Rooney's tradition of giving back to the community, with it benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania and National Youth Foundation.

"Everything this year should be about Mr. Rooney and what he did," said Brown. "Anything I can do to honor him, I will do. We are starting it off at the softball game."

Brown has been known to wear shoes during pregame warmups to honor individuals, but the NFL doesn't permit them to be worn in game. So he has found a way to honor Rooney this season in every game.

"I got my gloves customized with his name in them," said Brown. "I want to keep his memory alive and continue to represent his proud Steelers tradition and make him proud."

Another way he would like to make Rooney proud is by the team winning it all this year.

"It would mean everything to go all the way in his honor," said Brown. "I think he would like to have some more of those Super Bowl trophies here. And we want it for him."