The Steelers Hall of Honor Museum, located at Acrisure Stadium, provides an in-depth history of the franchise, a chronological flow that focuses on key moments.
The Hall of Honor Museum features everything from one-of-a-kind artifacts, exclusive game-worn uniform pieces, the Steelers six Super Bowl rings and replicated offices of founder Art Rooney Sr. and chairman Daniel M. Rooney.
The highlight, however, is the Hall of Honor, where the 53 members' bronze footballs are on display, along with their images and touch screen kiosks to learn more about them, including their bios, photos and videos of the inductees.
Over the next few weeks, we are highlighting some of the items in the museum, just a few of the things Steelers fans can enjoy while taking a historical tour of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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On July 29, 2000, Dan Rooney Sr. stood on the steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as Joe Greene presented him with his Gold Jacket, a symbol of greatness for the best of the best in the NFL.
A day later, though, Rooney was back to work, the Gold Jacket likely on a hanger somewhere, only to be worn when it was specially requested for Hall of Fame events.
Because wearing it, and tooting his own horn, isn't what Dan Rooney Sr. was about.
It was quite the opposite.
But Steelers fans now have the opportunity to see Rooney's Gold Jacket at the Hall of Honor Museum, along with personal letters, photos and other items that belonged to him.
Rooney, who passed away in 2017, was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a contributor, one of the NFL's most influential owners and a pivotal figure in the growth and development of the league.
Throughout the years Rooney had been a member of the board of directors for the NFL Trust Fund, NFL Films, and the Scheduling Committee. He was appointed Chairman of the League's Expansion Committee in 1973, eventually adding Seattle and Tampa Bay to the NFL in 1976.
Rooney was named Chairman of the Negotiating Committee in 1976, and in 1982 he contributed to the negotiations for the Collective Bargaining Agreement for NFL owners and the Players Association. He brought a calm, reasonable approach to labor relations, and was a driving force in the labor agreement again in 1993. Rooney has also been a member of the Management Council Executive Committee, the Hall of Fame Committee, the NFL Properties Executive Committee, and the Player/Club Operations Committee. He served as the President of the Steelers from 1975 until 2003, when he turned it over to his son, Art Rooney II, and he became the Chairman. He later went on to be the force behind the Rooney Rule in 2003, which required NFL teams to interview a minority candidate for head coaching and senior football operation jobs. He also served as the United States Ambassador to Ireland.
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Despite his long list of accomplishments, as he spoke that warm July day, he did what he always did. He gave credit to others, deflecting it away from himself to those who made the Steelers great.
"The players and coaches made the Steelers, and I attribute my presence here today to all of them and to my father," said Rooney in his speech. "My father (Art Rooney Sr.), one of the early men who did everything to make the NFL succeed, it is special to join him here. He gave me the understanding of what the league meant. He gave me the commitment to do everything possible to keep it strong and viable."
He called out the teams of the 1970s, who won four Super Bowls in a six-year span, giving them the credit they deserved.
"There are times, though seldom, when everything comes together," said Rooney. "When a group of young men become a special team. Where their accomplishments give them a time in history. Not only winning, but being the best, and doing so with unselfish determination to be the best team. Making the goal together. That happened in Pittsburgh. It was a glorious time.
"We are not here today to celebrate statistics, we are here to celebrate excellence and the accomplishment of people reaching a level, collectively, to be the best they could be. Men of character helping each other to reach the heights of human achievement."
And then he encouraged everyone who loves the game of football to do their part to continue its growth and protect it.
"I ask you to be watchful, see that the game remains the best, strong, viable, and flexible for the present day," said Rooney. "No one can be more interested than you. You have much to guide you. Your own commitment and how you played the game. The people in the league, players, coaches, owners, staff, and fans; the television networks, our family, our players, you have my commitment to do whatever it takes. The National Football League, the game is your legacy. Protect it. Don't let anyone tarnish it."
The Steelers Hall of Honor Museum is located above the Steelers Pro Shop at Acrisure Stadium and accessible via the Gate B suite entry. Fans can visit the Steelers Hall of Honor Museum year-round, Thursday-Monday, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. (last entry). It is also closed when the University of Pittsburgh plays at home.
The tour fee is as follows: adults - $18, seniors (62+)/military - $15, children (ages 6-17) - $12, and children ages 5 & under - free. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Art Rooney Scholarship Fund.
For more information on tours, group tours and booking, visit steelers.com/museum, or email museumandtours@acrisurestadium.com.
