Art Rooney Sr. the founder and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers was born on this day 1901.  Mr. Rooney was the founder and owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers until his death at age 87 in 1988. Art Rooney purchased the Steelers for $2500 back in 1933. He was one of the most beloved sports figures in Pittsburgh. Truth be told he never had much success when he was running the team, it wasn’t until he turned control over to his son Dan that the Steelers got moving in the right direction. They never made the playoffs for the first 40 years in franchise history. The past 40 years have been more successful with 6 Super Bowl titles. Art Sr. was always known as a generous and friendly man.People loved him. But he would hire his buddies to be the head coach. Not always the best way to run a team. He did live long enough to see the Steelers win 4 Super Bowls. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964 and The Sporting News named him the #81st most powerful sports figure of the 20th century. His family still own the Steelers. It would be hard to imagine anyone else owning the Steelers but the Rooney’s.