The NFL lost a legend Thursday.The announced that owner, icon and Hall of Famer Dan Rooney died. He was 84. Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) Rooney, the father of the Rooney Rule, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. His impact went beyond the Rooney Rule, which made it a requirement for teams to interview at least one minority candidate for vacant head coaching positions. He was one of the most influential figures in Pedro Martinez Jersey the entire league and, of course, with the Steelers.He worked for the team since 1955. In 1975, he became president of the franchise. Two years before, he became chairman of the league's expansion committee. That committee added two franchises, Seattle and Tampa Bay. He was the Steelers' controlling owner from 1988 to 2003. From 2003-2017, he was the team's chairman. He was even This quote, really gets at Rooney's approach: "I stay in the background," he said. "A lot of owners in football think they have to say something profound Adeiny Hechavarria Jersey , particularly to explain a win or a lo s. I think the le s you say, the better off you are. My job here is to make everyone else's job easier. The Steeler players get the recognition, and that's the way it should be. That's better than having Chuck Noll or Dan Rooney get it. The players are the characters, if you look at football in the entertainment sense."Those who knew him shared their thoughts on Twitter:We've lost the heart & soul of Steeler Nation. Incredible person humanitarian & true patriot. May his memory be eternal. Love U PapaRooney Troy Polamalu (@tpolamalu) And both were absolutely unconcerned with my gender - and I began career a long time ago (mid '80s) - they were so far ahead of their time. Amy Trask (@AmyTrask) Will mi s so much about Dan Rooney. One thing I loved: watching him go player to player, shaking their hands in the locker room, win or lose Judy Battista (@judybattista) Spoke to him several times about rule named after him. Once for an hour. Was always very pa sionate about it. Genuinely cared. mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) Everyone loved Rooney but coaches of color acro s the league especially so. They would seek him out or call him to thank him. mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) Have known Dan Rooney since 1960. Instrumental in making nece sary changes in league, both on/off field. NFL is better because of him. Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) Dan Rooney a historic figure. Won 6 rings, made HOF, namesake of major NFL rule and an Obama Dwight Gooden Jersey amba sador to Ireland. Thats a full 84 years. Bill Williamson (@BWilliamsonNFL) Upon finding out Pittsburgh's patriarch, Dan Rooney, has pa sed, one NFL exec texted what many thought: "Damn. He was a great human being." Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) I wish every football fan had a chance to meet - New York Mets Jersey what a special man. Condolences to the Rooney & family. Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) Prayers to the Rooney family. Mr. Rooney always took time to welcome our crew and visit whenever in Pittsburgh for Steelers game. Troy Aikman (@TroyAikman) Our thoughts and prayers go out to the and Steelers Nation on the pa sing of a true Pittsburgh icon, Dan Rooney. Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) NFL commi sioner Roger Goodell released a statement, in which he called Rooney "one of the finest men in the history of our game." His is below: "Few men have contributed as much to the National Football League as Dan Rooney. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he was one of the finest men in the history of our game and it was a privilege to work alongside him for so many years. Dan's dedication to the game, to the players and coaches, to his beloved Pittsburgh, and to Steelers fans everywhere was unparalleled. He was a role model and trusted colleague to commi sioners since Bert Bell, countle s NFL owners, and so many others in and out of the NFL. A voice of reason on a wide range of topics, including diversity and labor relations, Dan always had the league's best interests at heart. For my part, Dan's friendship and counsel were both inspiring and irreplaceable. My heart goes out to Noah Syndergaard Jersey Patricia, Art, and the entire Rooney family on the lo s of this extraordinary man."Shortly after Rooney's death, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher told a fitting anecdote involving Rooney, Steelers fans and pizza:Cowher on Rooney: He would take pizza to people standing on line for playoff tickets. SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) RIP Dan. My Mentor & friend. Thank you for your Guidance & Wisdom. I came a Young Coach & left a Better Man. Your spirit will live forever. Bill Cowher (@CowherCBS)