Joe Greene had just finished sharing his thoughts on the life of Dan Rooney, emotionally talking about the man he admired, respected and loved.
"He was a special man," Greene said over and over again.
As he was about to hang up the phone, a simple question was posed.
'Is there anything you need Joe?'
His answer resulted in something all of us desperately want.
"One more day," said Greene, his voice trailing off, barely audible and quivering with emotion.
"I need one more day."
That's a sentiment that is shared far and wide, as everyone Dan Rooney touched in one way or another would love to have one more day.
One more day to hear his stories of growing up with the Steelers organization, from bus trips as a kid to winning Super Bowls. To hear him talk about his beloved North Side neighborhood, and the City of Pittsburgh that he adored.
"A lot of people don't know he touched every single player. Nobody knows how much he meant to so many people. The Pittsburgh Steelers lost someone special and the City of Pittsburgh lost someone special."
--Jerome Bettis
One more day to see him walk into the Steelers locker room, shaking hands with every player he saw, and calling them all by name, whether they had been with the team for 10 years or a practice squad player just recently signed. He knew everyone, and greeted everyone the same.
"He cared. He cared and that meant so much to all of us, Dan always cared. He had a good heart. He was a good man."
-- Franco Harris
One more day to hear him share stories about his family, the people he loved more than anything in this world.
"He was proud of his family, all his grandkids. He was a father-figure to so many, and taught us the value of hard work, the value of giving back. He was humble through good times and bad."
--Hines Ward
One more day to hear him talk about Ireland, the place he not only loved, but made a difference instituting programs that promoted peace.
"He leaves a massive legacy which will benefit many people for the years to come."
-- Michael Higgins, President of Ireland
One more day to hear him talk about his faith, a faith that was deep, a faith that drove everything he did in life.
"You saw a real person, the depth of emotion, passion, concern."
--John Stallworth
One more day to simply say thank you to the man who touched so many, who changed so many lives, and who was someone everyone admired.
"People who came in contact with him are better people just from being around him."
--Mel Blount
The reality is, we don't have that one more day.
But we are blessed to have memories of Dan Rooney, everyone their own special memories, and ones that will last far longer than one more day.
They are memories that will last a lifetime.
"He will be missed, but his spirit will always be remembered."
--Kordell Stewart
A photo gallery of images spanning the life and career of Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14th, 2003.
A portrait of Art Rooney II and Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney hugs Jerome Bettis after a Division Round win against the New York Jets January, 15 2005.
Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II sit down to talk with newly drafted QB Ben Roethlisberger after he first arrived to the Steelers facilities in 2004.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with the 2004 1st Round Draft pick Ben Roethlisberger at a press conference presenting him his jersey.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 24th, 2005.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on September 18th, 2005.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with CB Ike Taylor during the 2005 Training Camp at Saint Vincent College.
Dan Rooney talks with Commissioner Roger Goodell during the 2006 home opener against the Miami Dolphins.
Dan Rooney talks with RB Merril Hoge.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Jerome Bettis during the Super Bowl XL ring ceremony at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his wife Patricia and son Art Rooney II during the Super Bowl XL ring ceremony at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with General Manager Kevin Colbert during the Super Bowl XL ring ceremony at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with President George W. Bush during the team's visit to the White House after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney along with James Rohr present Cardinal Wuerl with the American Ireland Fund honor.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney speaks with Head Coach Mike Tomlin on the practice field during the 2007 Rookie Mini-Camp.
Dan Rooney talks with NT Casey Hampton during the 2007 Training Camp at Saint Vincent College.
Dan Rooney talks with General Manager Kevin Colbert and Head Coach Mike Tomlin during a 2007 Training Camp at Saint Vincent College.
Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II pose for a photo with Mike and Kiya Tomlin after signing Mike Tomlin to the Steelers as Head Coach.
Dan Rooney shows Head Coach Mike Tomlin some historical photographs after signing him to the Head Coaching position.
Dan Rooney talks with Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert at FedEx Field prior to a preseason game against the Redskins.
Art Rooney II, Head Coach Bill Cowher, General Manager Kevin Colbert and Dan Rooney on a practice field at Training Camp.
Dan Rooney along with David Morehouse present Sidney Crosby with the American Ireland Fund honor.
Dan Rooney watches as QB Ben Roethlisberger raises the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XLIII.
Dan Rooney stands with President George W. Bush during the Steelers White House visit after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney talks with James Harrison, James Farrior and Larry Foote.
A portrait of Dan Rooney on the field prior to Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st, 2009.
A portrait of Dan Rooney as he walks onto the field prior to Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st, 2009.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes during the Steelers parade through downtown Pittsburgh after the Super Bowl XLIII win.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Art Rooney II, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert after winning Super Bowl XLIII.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin puts his arm around Dan Rooney on the podium after winning Super Bowl XLIII.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Head Coach Mike Tomlin in the Steelers locker room after a Divisional Round win against the San Diego Chargers January 11, 2009.
Lynn Swann, Jack Ham, Franco Harris, Joe Greene, Dan Rooney, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and Dermontti Dawson.
Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia are photographed with President Jimmy Carter during the Steelers visit to the White House.
The Chief and Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney, Chuck Noll and Art Rooney each hold a Lombardi trophy in 1979.
Dan Rooney speaks with Joe Greene in his office.
A young Dan Rooney appears in the front row of the 1940 team photo.
A news clipping shows a young Dan Rooney carrying a tackling dummy at Training Camp 1946.
A portrait of Dan Rooney on the field prior to a game against the Dallas Cowboys on December 16th, 2012.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with John Stallworth, Joe Greene, Art Rooney II, Franco Harris and Lynn Swann during an Alumni dinner at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Santonio Holmes during an Alumni dinner at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney talks with Deshea Townsend and Larry Foote during a practice before Super Bowl XL.
Art Rooney and Dan Rooney stand at a chalk board discussing the Draft.
Dan Rooney holds the ball for his father Art Rooney to kick during the 1968 groundbreaking ceremony for Three Rivers Stadium.
Dan Rooney and his son Art Rooney II pose for photographs during a groundbreaking ceremony for Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his father Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney stands with Art Rooney II and Ben Roethlisberger as they receive the Larmar Hunt trophy after winning the AFC Championship on January 22, 2006.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 15, 2005.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with QB Ben Roethlisberger during practice Thursday, January 19, 2006.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during Steelers practice in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, January 14, 2009.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Peter Rozelle, presents the Super Bowl trophy to Pittsburgh Steelers president Dan Rooney, center, and coach Chuck Noll after Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys, 21-17, to win Super Bowl X in the Orange Bowl in Miami, January 18, 1976.
A young Dan Rooney with a broken arm.
Cardinal Wuerl blesses Heinz Field before its opening.
Dan Rooney sits with Chuck Noll during a press conference announcing his retirement from the NFL.
A portrait of Dan Rooney with a statue of his father, Art Rooney behind him.
Dan Rooney stands with his Hall of Fame bust and presenter Joe Greene, during the induction ceremonies.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his brother Art Rooney Jr.
Dan Rooney as a baby with his mother and father.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with CB Ike Taylor.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during his time as Ambassador to Ireland.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney holds the Lombardi trophy with his father Art Rooney and Chuck Noll after winning Super Bowl XIV.
A portrait of Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II.
Dan Rooney and Art Rooney II review plans together for the construction of Heinz Field.
Ambassador Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia at the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Ambassador Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia Rooney are joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Bill Cowher after signing him to the Steelers head coaching position.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during his years at North Catholic.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
A portrait of Dan Rooney during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.
Dan Rooney stands in the oval office with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Dan Rooney stands in the oval office with President Barack Obama.
A portrait of Dan Rooney prior to the Steelers 1000th game.
A portrait of Dan Rooney with his father Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney stands in the rubble of Three Rivers Stadium after it was demolished.
Dan Rooney, No. 33, kneels for prayer in the locker room with his North Catholic team.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney and Pope Benedict XVI
A portrait of Dan Rooney during a press conference.
Dan Rooney, top left, pictured with his class mates and Patricia Rooney, front row third from the right.
Dan Rooney poses with five Lombardi trophies behind him.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his airplane.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his airplane.
Dan Rooney holding a Terrible Towel with servicemen aboard a Navy vessel.
Rod Woodson hands Dan Rooney the Lamar Hunt trophy after the Steelers won the AFC Championship game against the Baltimore Ravens on January 18th, 2009.
Dan Rooney and the Steelers honor PGA legend Arnold Palmer at Heinz Field on November 10th, 2002.
Dan Rooney stands in the locker room with the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his son Art Rooney II in the locker room with the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XL.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Ashley Roethlisberger, Ben Roethlisberger, Patricia Rooney and Dan Rooney stand in front of the Ambassador residence.
Dan Rooney attends a memorial unveiling, honoring the Tuskegee Airmen.
Dan Rooney and Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.
Dan Rooney and his wife Patricia Rooney pose for a photo with the American Bowl trophy.
A portrait of Dan and Patricia Rooney.
Dan and Patricia Rooney ride in a car during the Steelers parade following their Super Bowl XL victory.
Dan Rooney stands with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a flag ceremony in 2013.
Dan Rooney stands on stage behind his father Art Rooney following a parade celebrating their victory in Super Bowl XIV.
Dan Rooney and his father, Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney and his father, Art Rooney.
Dan Rooney with his father Art Rooney and brother Art Rooney Jr.
Art Rooney Jr., John Rooney, Art Rooney (The Chief), Tim Rooney, Pat Rooney and Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney during a press conference announcing the release of his autobiography.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with a group of Navy Seals before a game against the Baltimore Ravens, November 6, 2011.
Dan Rooney stands with Dermontti Dawson, Jack Butler and Art Rooney II during a locker unveiling for the newest members to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Joe Greene gives Dan Rooney a hug during his jersey retirement at Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney Shakes hands with Hines Ward.
Dan Rooney stands along side Chuck Noll and his bust during the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in 1993.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with his grandson Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney stands with his bust during the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Dan Rooney with his four brothers, his father Art Rooney and mother Kathleen Rooney.
Dan Rooney takes a picture with his family and his Hall of Fame bust.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Chuck Noll after signing him to the Steelers head coaching position.
Dan Rooney, pictured far right, sits on the bench as a ball boy.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Coach Mike Tomlin.
A portrait of Dan Rooney.
Dan Rooney talks with Senator Barack Obama.
Dan Rooney stands with Ernie Stautner during a jersey retirement ceremony.
Dan Rooney holds up the Lombardi trophy after winning Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney waves to fans as he walks off the field after Super Bowl XL.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Alan Faneca in the locker room after winning Super Bowl XL.
Art Rooney, Chuck Noll and Dan Rooney sitting on the team plane heading for Super Bowl IX.
Candid shot of Steelers owner Dan Rooney sitting with Steelers head coach Chuck Noll in the locker room after the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Steelers.
Dan Rooney introduces Vice President Al Gore to Coach Bill Cowher.
Dan Rooney shakes hands with Coach Bill Cowher after winning the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on January 14th, 1996.
Dan Rooney and Kevin Colbert during a press conference in 2000.
A photograph of Dan Rooney and Kevin Colbert.
Dan Rooney talks with Coach Bill Cowher, Tom Modrak and Tom Donahoe in the Draft Room.
Dan Rooney, Art Rooney, Chuck Noll and Art Rooney Jr. pose for a photo with four Lombardi trophies.
Dan Rooney and his son Art Rooney II and grandson Dan Rooney pose for photographs during a groundbreaking ceremony for Heinz Field.
Dan Rooney poses for a photo with Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys, and Commissioner Paul Tagliabue prior to Super Bowl XXX.
Dan Rooney receiveds the Lamar Hunt trophy from Coach Bill Cowher after winning the AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on January 14th, 1996.
Dan Rooney, Paul Tagliabue and Roger Goodell.
Dan Rooney is sworn into office as Ambassador to Ireland by Hillary Clinton.
Dan Rooney is sworn into office as Ambassador to Ireland by Hillary Clinton.
Dan Rooney talks with John Stallworth.
Dan Rooney, pictured top right No. 64, with his North Catholic team.
Dan Rooney with Steelers head coach Chuck Noll as they receive the Lombardi Trophy from NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle following their victory in Super Bowl XIII, where the Steelers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 35-31.
Dan Rooney holds the American Bowl trophy with Coach Bill Cowher following their victory over the Chicago Bears in Ireland.
Dan Rooney waves to fans prior to Super Bowl XLIII.
Dan Rooney stands on the field with Coach Bill Cowher.
