Art Rooney II
FILE- In this June 16, 2014, file photo, former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Tunch Ilkin, right, hugs Mike O'Donnell, the brother of former Steelers quarterback Neil O'Donnell, as they arrive for a viewing for former Pittsburgh Steelers head football coach Chuck Noll in Pittsburgh. Ilkin, a Turkis-born two-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1980s who went on to become a beloved member of the organization's broadcast team, died on Saturday morning, Sept. 4, 2021, the team said. He was 63. Ilkin, who revealed last fall he was fighting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease), had been hospitalized recently with pneumonia. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Former Pro Bowl lineman, broadcaster Tunch Ilkin dies at 63

By Will Graves Sep. 04, 2021 02:37 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009 file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu celebrates following Pittsburgh's 27-23 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL Super Bowl XLIII football game in Tampa, Fla. Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Troy Polamalu has carved his own unique path to the Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, File)
Troy being Troy: Polamalu carves singular path to Hall

By Will Graves Jul. 31, 2021 03:30 PM EDT

FILE - Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Donnie Shell, left, hugs Harold Carmichael at the NFL Honors football award show in Miami, in this Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, file photo. “I was 190 pounds soaking wet,” Shell said with a laugh. Still, Pittsburgh Steelers scout Bill Nunn saw enough in the way Shell delivered hits — punishing opponents with little regard for his own well-being — to convince his bosses that Shell deserved an invitation to training camp in the summer of 1974. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
Shell's journey from undrafted long shot ends with hall call

By Will Graves Jul. 24, 2021 01:22 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher works the sidelines against the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday Nov. 28, 1999, file photo. Cowher, who won 149 games and a Super Bowl in 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1992-2006, will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Cowher caps unlikely success story with Hall of Fame nod

By Will Graves Jul. 19, 2021 01:43 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020 file photo, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy addresses the media during a news conference for Sunday's NFL AFC championship football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Troy Vincent wrapped up the NFL’s three-day General Manager Forum and Quarterback Coaching Summit with a passionate plea to anyone who still thinks there aren’t worthy Black candidates for head coaching positions. Vincent praised Houston Texans assistant coach Pep Hamilton, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson and several other coaches who gave impressive presentations during this week’s webinar. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
NFL highlights minority candidates at QB Coaching Summit

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 24, 2021 02:31 AM EDT

FILE - In this July 26, 2019, file photo, former Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome speaks during an NFL football news conferencing in Owings Mills, Md. The NFL is hosting its inaugural Ozzie Newsome General Manager Forum on Monday, June 21, 2021, in an effort to increase diversity in from offices. Newsome, a Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end, was the first Black GM in league history (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
NFL holding its inaugural General Manager Forum next week

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 18, 2021 03:01 PM EDT

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass during the team's NFL mini-camp football practice in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, June 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
New Steelers OC Canada to lean on Roethlisberger, run game

By Dan Scifo Jun. 15, 2021 06:08 PM EDT

Longtime Steelers broadcaster Ilkin retiring to fight ALS

Jun. 03, 2021 10:22 AM EDT
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers radio analyst Tunch Ilkin is retiring to focus on his fight against ALS. Ilkin, who played...

File-This Jan. 10, 2021, file photo shows Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) looking a the scoreboard as he walks off the field during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger said it was his idea to take a voluntary pay cut and help ensure his return for an 18th season. Roethlisberger spoke for the first time on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, since he agreed to a new contract in March that assured the 39-year-old would be back with the Steelers in 2021, the only NFL team he’s ever known.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Roethlisberger says it was his idea to take pay cut

By Dan Scifo Jun. 01, 2021 04:29 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey (53) snaps the ball and blocks for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, file photo. The Steelers have the 24th overall pick in the draft and could use it to find a replacement for longtime Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, who retired during the offseason. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Steelers have plenty to shop for with 24th overall pick

By Will Graves Apr. 23, 2021 03:53 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks to players on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, file photo. The Steelers signed their longtime head coach to a three-year contract extension on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, that runs through the 2024 season. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Steelers sign coach Mike Tomlin to 3-year contract extension

By Will Graves Apr. 20, 2021 09:50 AM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) has a laugh with teammates in drills during an NFL football practice in Pittsburgh, in this Tuesday, May 21, 2019, file photo. Ben Roethlisberger is returning for an 18th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is taking a pay cut to do it. The team and the two-time Super Bowl winner announced on Thursday, March 4, 2021, they have agreed on a new contract that assures the 39-year-old will be back in 2021.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Steelers, Roethlisberger agree to new deal for 2021 season

By Will Graves Mar. 04, 2021 02:59 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh, late Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Steelers planning on Roethlisberger's return in 2021

Feb. 24, 2021 01:41 PM EST

In this March 2018 photo, Patricia Rooney shakes hands with former Vice President Joe Biden, the keynote speaker at "Slainte! Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dan Rooney", at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Patricia Rooney, the wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, has died. She was 88. The Steelers said in a statement that Patricia Rooney died peacefully at her home Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. A cause of death was not given. (Darrell Sapp/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)
Patricia Rooney, wife of late Steelers chairman, dead at 88

Jan. 31, 2021 12:06 AM EST

FILE - Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach David Culley works with wide receivers during an NFL football training camp practice in Owings Mills, Md., in this Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, file photo. David Culley has been hired as the coach of the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the hiring told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday night, Jan. 27, 2021, because the hiring hasn’t been announced. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
More interviews didn’t equal more minority hirings in NFL

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 29, 2021 04:49 PM EST

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II watches warm ups before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh, in this Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, file photo. Steelers president Art Rooney II remains optimistic the championship window remains open for his club but admits there are some difficult challenges ahead following a first-round playoff flameout against Cleveland. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Steelers want Roethlisberger back ... if the math works

By Will Graves Jan. 28, 2021 05:34 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2019, file photo, Pro Football Hall of Fame outside linebacker Kevin Greene stands on the sideline during warmups before an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals in Pittsburgh. Hall of Fame linebacker Greene, considered one of the fiercest pass rushers in NFL history, has died. He was 58. Greene died Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, the family confirmed, as did the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
HOF linebacker, pass rush great Kevin Greene dies at 58

By Steve Reed Dec. 21, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer/director of player personnel Stephen Jones, left, and owner Jerry Jones, center, greet Pittsburgh Steelers team owner Art Rooney II, right, during team warmups before an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys 11/8/2020

Nov. 08, 2020 03:58 PM EST

FILE - In this May 10, 2019, file photo, Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores, left, and general manager Chris Grier walk off the field at NFL rookie camp in Davie, Fla. Flores and Grier are among the six Black coaches, general managers and high-ranking executives in the NFL. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
NFL players past and present want more action from owners

By Rob Maaddi Oct. 02, 2020 02:45 AM EDT

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) runs the ball as Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Steelers, Roethlisberger eye 2-0 start vs. Lock, Broncos

By Will Graves Sep. 17, 2020 06:13 PM EDT