Ruanaidh > News

News

This page will contain news about reviews of the book, book signings by Mr. Rooney and any other events related to the book.

11/28/14 - "Brand new book due out in December. This Book details Steelers history in black and white by commissioned artwork by Art himself. The book signing event will spotlight the new book of Art Rooney Jr., the son of Steelers founder Art Rooney, and the history in artwork form. The only way to get the book is by donation at the book signing coming up on December 6 2014 at World West Gallery in Washington, PA. It's set up to raise money for the Mel Blount Youth Home in nearby Claysville, Washington County."

—Bob Karlovits

Book details Steelers' history in black and white

9/10/14 - "We publish sports books at Sporting Chance Press, but today I want to recommend a book that we did not publish. Art Rooney, Jr. wrote Ruanaidh: The Story of Art Rooney and His Clan and self published it in 2008. For football fans who are bibliophiles, this is a book you should own and get it now while there are still copies around--it is officially out of print. "

—Sporting Chance Press Publisher Larry Norris

Steelers History Fans Should Get Ruanaidh While They Still Can

8/30/14 - ""THE CHIEF" airs at 8PM on Saturday, August 30th on NBC WPXI - Pittsburgh. Interview with Art Rooney, Jr. at 7:30pm before the show."

—The Tribune-Review

AJR

9/29/13 - "Mr. Greenwood played for the Steelers from 1969 to 1981 and earned four Super Bowl rings. Selected to the Pro Bowl six times, he registered 73 1/2 career sacks, which ranks second in franchise history behind Jason Gildon. Mr. Greenwood's sacks are unofficial because the National Football League did not officially begin keeping track of sacks until 1982."

—By Ray Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Obituary: L.C. Greenwood / Big part of the Steelers' Steel Curtain

8/25/13 - "The sons of Art Rooney Sr., 25 years after his death, continue to honor their iconic father's legacy and hold dear his possessions."

—By J. Brady McCollough Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Remembering Art Rooney Sr. / A father's heirlooms still cherished

8/13/13 - "Art Sr.'s son Art Jr. graduated from St. Vincent College in 1957, and Art Jr.'s brother Dan, now 81, is the team chairman and also served as U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009 to 2012. Dan's son Art Rooney II is currently team president. The team has been in the family from the beginning, and the Steelers hold the league distinction of having only three head coaches since 1969. So it's more than a cheer when fans chant "We are fam-i-ly!""

—By Maryann Gogniat Eidemiller Catholic News Service

'Faith, family, football' permeates Steelers team, says Benedictine

6/27/13 - "I was pleased to see that Art Rooney Jr. was nominated once again for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."

—WRITTEN BY DAN GIGLER

Guest Slog: The Canton case for Art Rooney Jr.

6/17/13 - "1957 Interview with Jack Butler of the Pittsburgh Steelers."

—BHS

Vintage Video Interview of Jack Butler - 1957

12/23/12 - "Art Jr, who headed scouting in those days, was in charge of the group that assembled the Steeler dynasty, and had the greatest single draft class in NFL history in 1974, when they picked four future Hall of Famers in five rounds. You probably remember guys named Swann, Lambert, Stallworth, and Webster."

—By Neal Coolong

Immaculate Reception Ceremony Saturday carried with it the weight of history

12/22/12 - "Art Rooney Jr., a longtime Steelers scout and son of the team's founder, Art "The Chief" Rooney Sr., said he and Noll never had arguments but many discussions."

—By Len Barcousky / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Former Steelers, Oakland player share Immaculate Reception Memories

12/9/12 - "Immaculate Reception: The most spectacular play in NFL history was not an easy one to witness, report or photograph. The Pittsburgh Steelers Franco Harris is off and running moments after fielding the deflection that afternoon in December 1972."

—By Dan Gigler / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Immaculate Reception: The most spectacular play in NFL history was not an easy one to witness, report or photograph

12/5/12 - "Art Rooney Jrs personal art collection is on display at the Heinz History Center, Downtown Pittsburgh in the Strip District. The show is called Art of the Steelers and will run thru March. It is located on the 4th Floor Community Gallery and runs from Oct. 6, 2012 - March 31, 2013. Be sure to check out the NFLs Pro Football Hall of Fame for local sports stars! "

—Heinz History Center

Heinz History Center

11/18/12 - "Immaculate Reception Football Means A Lot To Its Caretaker"

—By Dan Gigler / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Immaculate Reception Football Means A Lot To Its Caretaker

9/27/12 - "The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their candidates for the Class of 2013, and among the 127 nominees are eight with ties to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Included in the group are running back Jerome Bettis and linebacker Kevin Greene, both who were finalists in 2012. Also nominated are former Coach Bill Cowher, center Jeff Hartings, kicker Gary Anderson, defensive coordinator Bud Carson, and Art Rooney, Jr., the teams director of player personnel during the 1970s when the team won four Super Bowl championships."

—Teresa Varley

Several former Steelers Hall of Fame nominees

8/4/12 - "From the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio former Steelers great Jack Butler gives his induction speech."

—Art Rooney, Jr. & John Butler

Jack Butler Hall of Fame Speech

7/30/12 - "Hands Of Steel"

—Pro Football Hall of Fame

Hands Of Steel

7/2/12 - "An Exhibition of Art"

—Krissy Mazzenga / St. Vincent College Student

An Exhibition of Art

5/18/12 - "Disability Doesnt Stop Rivera"

—Ron Cook, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Disability Doesnt Stop Rivera

5/4/12 - "He has written a book on his family, on their Steelers background, Ruanaidh, The Story of Art Rooney and his Clan. He spent 500-some pages spinning great stories. I asked him if he had any that he left out of the book. Surprisingly, he did. Given this area code and his wealth of experience, he is the perfect person in the 412 to ask for the 411."

—CHUCK FINDER

PART VIII: IN THE CHIEFS IMAGE, ART ROONEY JR.

12/1/11 - "** Book Signing This Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 10:00am - 3:00pm at the Heinz History Center's 10th Annual Holiday Book Fair. Art Rooney, Jr. and Roy McHugh will be in attendance to autograph your copy of Ruanaidh."

—Book Signing

Heinz History Center

6/10/11 - "The NFL's 10 Most Significant Front Office Decisions Ever - The Team Jr. Built"

—Kyle Gibbons

Bleacher Report

6/6/11 - "Art Rooney, Jr. Remembers A Legend"

—Ron Cook and Vinnie Richichi

93-7 The Fan

4/27/11 - "All-time great NFL evaluators"

—FOX Sports

4/25/11 - "Steelers found eight Super Bowl starters in 1971 draft"

—Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

4/24/11 - "NFL draft process can result in 'paralysis by analysis'"

—Bob Cohn

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

4/22/11 - "Steelers struck gold in '71 draft"

—Scott Brown

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

4/3/11 - "'74 draft legendary, but '71 was close"

—Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

2/6/11 - "SUPERBOWL SUNDAY: One of the members of the family behind the Steelers Success, Art Rooney Jr., talked to Brian Kilmeade about the teams record 6 Super Bowl wins."

—Brian Kilmeade interview

FOX NEWS: FOX & Friends

2/4/11 - "The Steelers, before the formula"

—Tom Danyluk

Pro Football Weekly

12/29/10 - "Author Art Rooney, Jr. chats with History Center President and CEO Andy Masich about his book "RUANAIDH" at the annual Holiday Book Fair 2010."

—Andy Masich

Heinz History Center

12/12/10 - "On the Steelers: A black and gold Christmas"

—Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

10/14/10 - ""The Chief" Movie Premiere at the Byham Theater on October 14th at 7:30 PM. This star-studded, red-carpet charity event features a VIP cocktail reception, tailgate party, the movie premiere followed by a Q&A with Art Rooney, Jr., actor Tom Atkins and former Pittsburgh Steelers player Franco Harris, topped off with an exclusive after party."

—Byham Theater

"The Chief" Movie Premiere

10/7/10 - "Ruanaidh - The Story of Art Rooney and His Clan Art Rooney Jr. will be interviewed on Pittsburgh Today (http://kdka.com/ptl) at 9:00 AM on Thursday, October 7 to discuss the release of "The Chief" movie."

—AJR Jr.

KDKA

9/13/10 - "Bettis, Dawson among Steelers nominated for NFL Hall of Fame"

—Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

7/21/10 - "An Evening With Art Rooney Jr."

—Leah Galley

Easter Seals Western Pennsylvania

7/18/10 - "The Chief instead of The Boss?"

—Gene Collier

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

6/19/10 - "More Rooney Photos!"

—Ohio County Public Library Programming

6/16/10 - "Art Rooney Jr. Visit Breaks Lunch With Books Record"

—Linda Comins

The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register

6/15/10 - "Art Rooney Rocks the Library (Attendance Record Smashed)"

—Ohio County Public Library Programming

6/8/10 - "Art Rooney Jr. remembers"

—Tom Danyluk

Pro Football Weekly

6/8/10 - "Art Rooney, Jr. will appear at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library on Tuesday, June 15, 2010."

—Ohio County Public Library

5/1/10 - "Art Rooney Jr.'s recent speech from his induction into the PA Sports Hall of Fame, Western Chapter."

—Class of 2010 Induction Ceremony

PA Sports Hall of Fame, Western Chapter

3/5/10 - "PA Books interview of Art Rooney Jr. on PCN now available on iTunes"

—PCN

2/3/10 - "Steeler Vice President speaks at University's Southpointe center"

—Pam Cunningham, Assistant Director of University Relations

Waynesburg University

1/29/10 - "Pittsburgh Steelers: Shuffling the Deck"

—Jerry DiPaola

Pittsburgh Sports Report

1/23/10 - "Art Rooney, Jr. Voted Into Pennsylvania Sports Hall Of Fame"

—Induction will occur in May 2010

Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame - Western Chapter

1/13/10 - "Hall of Fame has decorated nominees"

—Carl Prine

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

11/30/09 - "Book Signing: Saturday December 5th between 10:00am - 2:00pm. Celebrate the History Centers 130th anniversary at the annual Holiday Book Fair featuring authors Art Rooney, Jr., Roy McHugh, Jennifer Antkowiak, Dave Crawley, Jim O'Brien, and Eleanor Schano. Art Rooney Jr. will be autographing your Ruanaidh books for the holiday!"

—Book Signing

Heinz History Center

11/19/09 - "Art Rooney, Jr. interviewed on Fox Sports 970 AM Pittsburgh"

—Joe Bendel

Fox Sports 970 AM Pittsburgh

10/11/09 - "The "Crown Jewel" of western Maryland returns"

—Anthony Layman

Examiner.com

10/4/09 - "Coming Up"

—Marcia Biddle

Observer-Reporter

10/1/09 - "Art Rooney, Jr. will be the Grand Marshal of the Autumn Glory Festival Parade in Oakland, Maryland, Deep Creek Lake. Festival runs between October 7-11. "

—42nd Autumn Glory Festival

Autumn Glory Parade on Saturday Oct. 10th

10/1/09 - "The book is amazing. I am originally from just south of Erie, PA. My family is of course split between Browns fans and Steeler fans. I have told my Browns family members that they need to read this book. Even though they're not Steeler fans, any fan of football will appreciate this outstanding book. Art did a wonderful job of detailing the history of the NFL, the history of the greatest franchise in the NFL, and an amazing man, AJR. Just a note to my brother and sister Steeler fans...read the book. I'm starting it for a second time."

—Mark Shreve

Richmond, VA

9/19/09 - "Steeler's Anderson, Dawson, Art Rooney Jr., nominated for Hall of Fame "

—Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

8/9/09 - "Rooney to lead annual Autumn Glory parade"

—Cumberland Times-News

7/31/09 - "Effect of team's sale on Art Rooney Jr. setting in"

—Robert Dvorchak

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

2/1/09 - "Horsing around with the Super Bowl"

—Bill Nichols

press democrat.com

1/27/09 - "Art Rooney Jr. was the teams top personnel man during the ascension years, and he was sitting around watching one of those NFL Films flashbacks the other day Super Bowl IX, Steelers whack Vikings and enjoying a flashback of his own. ..."

—Tom Danyluk

Pro Football Weekly.com

1/19/09 - "The Legendary Football Team That Horse Racing Built -- FOOLISHPLEASURE -- The Chiefs son Art Rooney Jr., in his 2008 self-published book Ruanaidh (Gaelic spelling of Rooney), discusses those two fateful days in 1936:..."

—Valerie

Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance

1/19/09 - "Were the 1969 Steelers the 2009 Pirates? -- One major change was instead of signing vets whose better days were behind them, the suits turned to the draft to revitalize the team. Art Rooney Jr., scouting guru, was suddenly appreciated, and his skills and focus were sharpened by head-butting sessions with Emperor Chaz. Bill Nunn beat the bushes of the small black college circuit, turning up gem after gem for the team."

—Ron Ieraci

Old Bucs BlogSpot

1/19/09 - "Joseph-Beth Booksellers lists Ruanaidh by Art Rooney, Jr. on the 2008 Best Selling Local Authors list."

—The Best of 2008

Joseph-Beth Booksellers

1/18/09 - "The blueprint to Steel -- Art Rooney Jr., son of Steelers founder Art Rooney, ran the draft in the '70s while relying on scout Dick Haley and talent evaluator Bill Nunn, who is credited with leading the Steelers to players from traditionally black colleges, players such as L.C. Greenwood, Ernie Holmes and Donnie Shell."

—Jeff Schudel

The News-Herald

1/8/09 - "CLAN DESTINY -- The story of Art Rooney and his era "It's a terrific story and worthwhile read under any circumstances, but as background to the Rooney family drama recently played out in the national media, it is fascinating.""

—Sandra Levis

reading ROOM

12/31/08 - "... not just the history of AJR, but also the rise of the Steelers franchise and the life of Art Jr., as well as 20th-century Pittsburgh..."

—Stephen Knezovich

Contributing Editor - Pittsburgh Magazine

12/23/08 - "My Top 10 Steelers Wishes for Santa 10) Dermontti Dawson, Donnie Shell and Art Rooney Jr. are announced as inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dawson was so good he was underappreciated. Shell deserves to be in, but is not because of how many 1970 Steelers are already in. He is a victim of association. Likewise, Art Jr. is not in because of how many Rooneys are already in. Poppycock. That man drafted nine Hall of Famers in six years.."

—MaryRose

Behind The Steel Curtain

12/15/08 - "There will be a book signing on Monday December 15th at 6:30pm at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Squirrel Hill. Art Rooney, Jr. himself will be available for autographing your copy of Ruanaidh."

—Book Signing Notice

Barnes & Noble - Squirrel Hill

12/14/08 - "Bouchette on the Steelers: Dick LeBeau's absence proves the Pro Football Hall of Fame's selection process needs an overhaul."

—Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

12/12/08 - "Art Rooney Jr. Weighs In On Past, Current Dominance Of Steelers' D"

—ThePittsburghChannel

WTAE TV

12/11/08 - "Book signing on Thursday December 11, 2008 at 7:00pm at Barnes & Noble Booksellers - South Hills Village. Art Rooney, Jr. himself will be available for autographing your copy of Ruanaidh."

—Book Signing Notice

Barnes & Noble Booksellers - South Hills Village

12/3/08 - "The Rooney's Root Deep In Wheeling"

—Casey Hayes & David Allinder

In Wheeling Magazine

12/2/08 - "A Rose By Any Other Name"

—McMillen and Wife

Originally written by Paul Zimmerman, Sports Illustrated

11/28/08 - "A Work of Art -- Art Rooney Jr."

—Wayne Herrod

Upper St. Clair Today

11/26/08 - "Pittsburgh Quarterly PQbookblog Winter '09"

—Jeffery Fraser

—The Tartan Online

Carnegie Mellon University

9/7/08 - "Art Rooney, Jr. Interview on PCNTV at 9 P.M. Please see PCN's Channel Listing page for information regarding channel selection in your area. "

—Pennsylvania Cable News

8/8/08 - "Kevin Miller Talks With Art Rooney Jr. (60 minute radio interview - streaming audio)"

—KDKA Radio

7/30/08 - "Art Rooney Jr. Talks About Steelers, New Book (11 minute video interview) "

—KDKA.com

7/10/08 - "Rooney Pens Book About Father, A Steel City Legacy"

—Emily Newman

Cumberland Times-News

7/10/08 - "Labor Of Love Completed By Art Rooney Jr.; Signing Slated"

—Don Sincell

The Republican

7/10/08 - "My Morning With Steelers Vice President Art Rooney, Jr."

—Don Spagnolo

Mondesishouse.com

7/1/08 - "All In The Family (.pdf file - 388KB)"

—mtl Magazine

July/August 2008

6/25/08 - "This is a significant history book in pro football."

—Bob Gretz

KCChiefs.com

6/10/08 - "Some book recommendations for Father's Day "

—Peter King

Sports Illustrated

6/8/08 - "The Scouting of a Dynasty: Nunn Art Better than the Pittsburgh Steelers "

—Mary Rose

Behind The Steel Curtain

5/18/08 - "If you think you know all the tales about The Chief, the Steelers and the First Family of Steeler Nation, think again."

—Ed Bouchette

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

5/6/08 - "Now THIS is a history book. Anytime I've used it to research any aspect of Steelers football, I've been able to find the facts as well as an entertaining story behind the facts. I think this is the book that defines the Rooneys and Steelers football. I'm sure that it will stand the test of time."

—Jim Wexell

Author of Pittsburgh Steelers - Men of Steel and SteelCityInsider.com publisher

4/17/08 - "In Ruanaidh, Art Rooney, Jr. thoughtfully documents his father's remarkable and engaging life, a life that embodied the American dream."

—Andrew O'Toole

Author of Smiling Irish Eyes: Art Rooney and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Sweet William: the Life of Billy Conn

4/7/08 - "Saimes, Rooney at HOF Party"

—The Repository, Canton, Ohio

3/26/08 - "Paper Steeler - Palm Beach resident Art Rooney Jr. is a deliberative kind of guy. When he decided to write the life story of his dad, Pittsburgh Steelers patriarch Art Rooney Sr. - "The Chief," as he was known - it took him 12 years to do it. Forty-one journals, napkins, and backs of envelopes, Junior said."

—Shannon Donnelly

Daily News Society Editor, Palm Beach Daily News

3/19/08 - "Art Rooney Jr. has produced an encyclopedic memoir that is informative and entertaining and populated by more real-life characters, including the Chief of the Steelers tribe, than Damon Runyon ever managed to fictionalize."

—John Troan

Retired editor of The Pittsburgh Press

3/10/08 - "This is a thoughtful and interestingly detailed history of the Pittsburgh Steelers by Art Rooney, Jr., the team's vice president, who was the master mind of arguably the greatest player draft in NFL history, which resulted in four Super Bowl victories in six years."

—William Buchanan

Retired Boston Globe reporter

2/17/08 - "Life always seems to be about fathers and sons. I was lucky enough to read Ruanaidh in it's early stages. This book by Art Rooney Jr. is a love letter to his beloved and iconic father Art Sr.. More than that, it's a fascinating telling of the Rooney history of sport and how it helped shape this great city of Pittsburgh. I agree with Gene Collier - "Art Rooney Jr. is the keeper of the flame:" may that flame burn forever in the hearts and memory of everyone who reads this wonderful story."

—Tom Atkins

Actor - "The Chief"

2/15/08 - "Telling a good story takes talent. So does making it read right in print. That's the teamwork that took place between two of the best in those fields. Art (Rooney, Jr.) and Roy (McHugh) have put together a classic. It has succeeded in making human a legend."

—Carl Hughes

Former Writer, Pittsburgh Press

2/11/08 - "A warm and witty accounting of the life and times of Art Rooney, NFL pioneer and perhaps America's greatest sportsman and artisan. The story is written with self deprecating humor of the North Side Pittsburgher. And the narrator is Rooney's son and namesake, Art Jr. In the telling we learn of intense dedication which helped turn the Steelers from tough but hapless failures into a NFL Champion and storied franchise. It is truly a worthy tale of love, redemption and ultimately unparalleled success."