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From Latrobe: Checking in with Dan Rooney at Steelers Training Camp · The Irish Steelers Podcast

• 0:07
  Speaker 1: Staeters fans. When you hear my voice, when you hear
• 0:09
  Speaker 1: that intro song, you know we are back. It is
• 0:13
  Speaker 1: time to get going, to get ready for the twenty
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: twenty six NFL season, a season that will see change
• 0:20
  Speaker 1: in Pittsburgh, which we'll talk about over the next few
• 0:22
  Speaker 1: episodes over the next few weeks, and a season for
• 0:25
  Speaker 1: international fans, but of course for Irish Staters fans that
• 0:29
  Speaker 1: will see the Staters take part in an OVA international game,
• 0:32
  Speaker 1: this time a historic first international game in France, the
• 0:37
  Speaker 1: first NFL France game, and the Steelers will take on
• 0:40
  Speaker 1: the New Orleans Saints in the Stad de Front at
• 0:43
  Speaker 1: the end of October. Right now, though, we're in a
• 0:46
  Speaker 1: very very special place. We are in Saint Vincent College
• 0:50
  Speaker 1: in the Trope, and I'm sitting here just opposite the
• 0:53
  Speaker 1: field where the players practice, and about one hundred meters
• 0:57
  Speaker 1: or so from where the players make that iconic walk
• 1:00
  Speaker 1: to greet the fans and to really get going. And
• 1:03
  Speaker 1: I'm delighted to be sitting here with a man that
• 1:05
  Speaker 1: we all know a lot about it, we've heard from before,
• 1:08
  Speaker 1: and a man that is very proud of his roots
• 1:10
  Speaker 1: and his Irish heritage. And I know that the Steelers
• 1:13
  Speaker 1: want to keep growing that but a man that I
• 1:16
  Speaker 1: would say has been here for a very very long time,
• 1:19
  Speaker 1: both as a child and as a young adult and
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: coming in to his later years as well. Now, we're
• 1:25
  Speaker 1: delighted today to be joined by the vice president of
• 1:27
  Speaker 1: Business Development and Astrology Fort Pittsburgh Steters, mister Don Rooney
• 1:31
  Speaker 1: and Dan. You are very welcome here to the trope
• 1:35
  Speaker 1: and thank you for having us here as we kick
• 1:37
  Speaker 1: off Staeters Ireland's twenty twenty six NFL coverage. For Irish
• 1:42
  Speaker 1: Staters fans, Staeters have been coming here for training camp
• 1:46
  Speaker 1: since the nineteen sixties and I would imagine that you've
• 1:48
  Speaker 1: been coming here for a lot of your life. For
• 1:51
  Speaker 1: those who don't know, can you talk about this location
• 1:54
  Speaker 1: on why it's so special for the Steels and for
• 1:57
  Speaker 1: Staters fans.
• 1:58
  Speaker 2: Thank you, Michael. Great, great to have you here. I
• 2:00
  Speaker 2: know you've been here before, but you're you're dead on there.
• 2:03
  Speaker 2: Saint Vincent College is a special place for Steelers football
• 2:07
  Speaker 2: and it really kicks our season off. And you know
• 2:09
  Speaker 2: the coolest part about this location, our fans can travel
• 2:13
  Speaker 2: long and far and get up close and personal with
• 2:16
  Speaker 2: the players and coaches. And you know it's a free
• 2:19
  Speaker 2: practice where everyone enjoys the fun. Great for great for kids,
• 2:23
  Speaker 2: And as I said, it's the start of our season
• 2:26
  Speaker 2: where you know we really start to develop and look
• 2:28
  Speaker 2: forward to to the regular season. So great history here.
• 2:32
  Speaker 2: You know, all of the Steelers' greats have have walked
• 2:34
  Speaker 2: these halls and and hit the practice field here in
• 2:37
  Speaker 2: same locker room. So it's a it's a special tradition
• 2:40
  Speaker 2: that that we take seriously. And the team bonding aspect
• 2:43
  Speaker 2: you can't can't replace. We were able to get away
• 2:45
  Speaker 2: for a few weeks. It's an hour outside of Pittsburgh
• 2:48
  Speaker 2: and the players and coaches get to spend so much
• 2:50
  Speaker 2: quality time together. I think it's special.
• 2:52
  Speaker 1: It's really specialized. It's very community bus, which is a
• 2:55
  Speaker 1: lot of our sports as well. So it's so similar,
• 2:57
  Speaker 1: which is awesome in a really really busy summer them
• 2:59
  Speaker 1: We're just a few weeks removed from the World Flag
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: Football Championship. The World Flag Football Championships which were held
• 3:05
  Speaker 1: in Westfield, Indiana, fantastic spectacle. We had a team from
• 3:09
  Speaker 1: Cork which was represented, which was fantastic to see. The
• 3:13
  Speaker 1: Steers have done a lot since the since the launch
• 3:15
  Speaker 1: of the Global Markets Program to help grow the game
• 3:18
  Speaker 1: of flag on the island and this year was a
• 3:20
  Speaker 1: big big step in the effort. The team held a
• 3:22
  Speaker 1: regional football tournament in this past spring, the first or
• 3:25
  Speaker 1: a first for an NFL team on the island of Ireland.
• 3:28
  Speaker 1: Can you talk to us about that program and what
• 3:31
  Speaker 1: you were able to see?
• 3:32
  Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean the growth of flag football in American
• 3:35
  Speaker 2: football in general in Ireland and across the island has
• 3:38
  Speaker 2: has been truly amazing and a couple months ago when
• 3:41
  Speaker 2: we were there for our Flag Championship games, just the
• 3:45
  Speaker 2: level of skill, the understanding of our game. I think
• 3:48
  Speaker 2: it's grown immensely over the past couple couple of years.
• 3:51
  Speaker 2: And the fact that we had a team from Cork,
• 3:54
  Speaker 2: you know, competing state side for a flag football championship
• 3:58
  Speaker 2: shows you where Ireland's that with the game of American football,
• 4:02
  Speaker 2: and just that the athletes from from Ireland are are
• 4:05
  Speaker 2: fantastic and we know how much they care about sports too,
• 4:08
  Speaker 2: So it's a it's a great marriage and it continues
• 4:10
  Speaker 2: to grow with American football. It's exciting.
• 4:12
  Speaker 1: I spoke to one of the teachers and not school
• 4:14
  Speaker 1: in court last week and just the opportunity for those
• 4:17
  Speaker 1: kids to experience even go into the US phenomenal with
• 4:20
  Speaker 1: the sport as well, and you sort of imagine it there.
• 4:22
  Speaker 1: But watching the game grow on the island in real
• 4:25
  Speaker 1: time right in front of you, it must be really exciting.
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  Speaker 2: It is because we love teaching American football. That's you know,
• 4:32
  Speaker 2: a passion of ours. We love the sport and you know,
• 4:36
  Speaker 2: being able to bring it over to Ireland and really
• 4:38
  Speaker 2: teach some of the youth about about the sport we love.
• 4:40
  Speaker 2: And again we love learning about the great sports from
• 4:43
  Speaker 2: from Ireland as well, hurling, Gaelic football. So much respect
• 4:46
  Speaker 2: for for for the sporting culture over there, but teaching
• 4:49
  Speaker 2: our sport, bringing our current and former players over at Ireland.
• 4:53
  Speaker 2: They always love the trip. But when we get them
• 4:56
  Speaker 2: on a football field and they start to engage with
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  Speaker 2: the youth, those are fantastic times and special memories.
• 5:02
  Speaker 1: Absolutely. You've made a few trips to the island this year.
• 5:05
  Speaker 1: We just heard I've heard on the grip find that
• 5:08
  Speaker 1: you were also up to carry against Dublin all A
• 5:11
  Speaker 1: for full semi final. So you've been in cool Park
• 5:13
  Speaker 1: and seeing other times is me this year and I.
• 5:14
  Speaker 2: Oh yeah, well, hey Crow every time we go to
• 5:17
  Speaker 2: Croke Park. It's it's a big occasion for for these games.
• 5:20
  Speaker 2: What a special stadium with with so much history and
• 5:23
  Speaker 2: you know, the passion that that sits in those stands
• 5:26
  Speaker 2: for the Carry game that we went to with Dublin
• 5:29
  Speaker 2: was was incredible. So that that was really my first
• 5:31
  Speaker 2: true Gaelic football match at at Croke and high stakes,
• 5:35
  Speaker 2: high stakes game and it was a packed house and
• 5:38
  Speaker 2: just couldn't couldn't believe the talent on the field with
• 5:40
  Speaker 2: the Clifford brothers and you know, Dublin was fantastic as well.
• 5:44
  Speaker 2: It was quite the match.
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  Speaker 1: You said it was your sort of first real experience
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  Speaker 1: the Hill. Well, I know there was some Carry fans
• 5:52
  Speaker 1: about that blue and the Hill is like comic and
• 5:54
  Speaker 1: it's that community and that love of the sport isn't that.
• 5:56
  Speaker 2: Well And we were sitting around some you know, Dublin fans.
• 6:00
  Speaker 2: I think they were a little upset leaving the stadium
• 6:03
  Speaker 2: that day, but passionate crowd and just a really really
• 6:07
  Speaker 2: neat turnout, and you know it was It was a
• 6:09
  Speaker 2: cool trip because my business school buddy got married up
• 6:12
  Speaker 2: in County Down where the Runies are from, so spent
• 6:14
  Speaker 2: some time up there and then was able to get
• 6:16
  Speaker 2: to Dublin for a few days, and you know, it
• 6:19
  Speaker 2: was amazing. The weather was was unbelievable. We were there
• 6:22
  Speaker 2: in that stretch where it was just blue skies the
• 6:24
  Speaker 2: entire time.
• 6:24
  Speaker 1: The entire somewhere in that two week period for us,
• 6:27
  Speaker 1: for anybody listening this, well, and you weren't there for
• 6:30
  Speaker 1: the fire, and we're talking a few days just past
• 6:32
  Speaker 1: that final which says here it was a memorable seventy
• 6:35
  Speaker 1: five mayor may it was all out in victory. It's
• 6:38
  Speaker 1: taken the country by storm. I've I've left the country
• 6:40
  Speaker 1: and I'm getting taction from them. It's incredible. I've been
• 6:42
  Speaker 1: informed by Don that the Rooney family may have some
• 6:45
  Speaker 1: roots New Yeah.
• 6:47
  Speaker 2: So my grandmother, Patricia Rooney, her maiden name is Reagan,
• 6:53
  Speaker 2: and the Reagans are from County Mayo. So my great
• 6:56
  Speaker 2: grandmother off the boat from County Mayo. And I know
• 6:59
  Speaker 2: she was smiling down with that outcome and certainly just
• 7:03
  Speaker 2: able to follow. What an amazing story and just how
• 7:06
  Speaker 2: special sports are when when you have a long standing
• 7:09
  Speaker 2: situation like that seventy five years overcoming that and winning
• 7:13
  Speaker 2: a championship. I was listening to it on the radio
• 7:16
  Speaker 2: and was getting chills through throughout the game and just
• 7:19
  Speaker 2: seeing all the highlights. So congrats to Mayo and it
• 7:22
  Speaker 2: looks like they're continuing to celebrate, which I can respect,
• 7:25
  Speaker 2: and such a special story that I think it cut
• 7:28
  Speaker 2: the attention of the world, which is great for Gaelic football.
• 7:30
  Speaker 1: It's incredible to see the world. I've seen a lot
• 7:32
  Speaker 1: of listening to America talking about it. You mentioned a
• 7:34
  Speaker 1: really good point there as well. I think Idan luche
• 7:36
  Speaker 1: was part of our part of your first ever watch
• 7:38
  Speaker 1: party and Coup Park as well, So he's wit in
• 7:40
  Speaker 1: a long time and it means an awful lot and
• 7:42
  Speaker 1: with a few NFL fans listening to from Mayo, So
• 7:44
  Speaker 1: enjoy it, folks, if you're listening. We're just a few
• 7:46
  Speaker 1: weeks removed, also done from an anniversary of the first
• 7:49
  Speaker 1: game of Coup Park, the Steels World against the Bears
• 7:51
  Speaker 1: in the July nineteen ninety seven preseason game. And it's
• 7:54
  Speaker 1: hard to believe it. We're coming up on a one
• 7:56
  Speaker 1: year anniversary of the first ever regular season game in
• 8:00
  Speaker 1: when the historic win against the Vikings in Cook Park.
• 8:03
  Speaker 1: When you think back to that Dublin game last year
• 8:05
  Speaker 1: almost now and the event that was what do you
• 8:08
  Speaker 1: remember most from them?
• 8:09
  Speaker 2: Yeah, that's what was cool. Being back in Croke a
• 8:11
  Speaker 2: few weeks ago. You know, it brought back memories of
• 8:14
  Speaker 2: being at the Steeler game last September and how special
• 8:18
  Speaker 2: that day was for my family, our organization, and I
• 8:21
  Speaker 2: think everyone in the stands that day where American football
• 8:24
  Speaker 2: was on full display. It was a great game. It
• 8:27
  Speaker 2: was a close game, almost a nailbier there at the end.
• 8:30
  Speaker 2: But I'll never forget just coming away with a win
• 8:34
  Speaker 2: and just how pumped up our players and coaches were
• 8:37
  Speaker 2: and being able to just enjoy it with with Steelers
• 8:39
  Speaker 2: Nation in Dublin. You know, the fans and everyone associated
• 8:43
  Speaker 2: continue to talk about that game and that that will
• 8:45
  Speaker 2: be a hard one to top.
• 8:47
  Speaker 1: It was incredible special. I think that's what I say
• 8:51
  Speaker 1: as well, and you agree with that people listening in
• 8:53
  Speaker 1: you know, obviously Dublin last year, playing in Dublin. Now
• 8:56
  Speaker 1: the students are going to play in Paris, France this year,
• 8:59
  Speaker 1: making a more history as well, the first ever regular
• 9:01
  Speaker 1: season NFLI in, first ever game in France. What does
• 9:05
  Speaker 1: it mean to you and to the organization to have
• 9:06
  Speaker 1: another opportunity to once again.
• 9:09
  Speaker 2: Plan yeah, back to back season's first regular season game
• 9:12
  Speaker 2: in Dublin, what a special city, and now first regular
• 9:15
  Speaker 2: season game, first game ever in Paris. We are honored
• 9:19
  Speaker 2: to be a part of these these matchups. You know,
• 9:22
  Speaker 2: it's going to be fun to get over there. Did
• 9:24
  Speaker 2: a site visiting in Paris a few months ago just
• 9:26
  Speaker 2: to understand the lay of the land. Massive city with
• 9:30
  Speaker 2: incredible architecture in culture. So I was able to get
• 9:34
  Speaker 2: to stud de France. The stadium, you know, big stadium
• 9:38
  Speaker 2: has the feel of an NFL stadium, so great venue
• 9:41
  Speaker 2: for it. And I know our players and coaches are
• 9:43
  Speaker 2: excited to get over there. And one thing I know
• 9:46
  Speaker 2: that will happen is Steelers Nation will be out in
• 9:48
  Speaker 2: full force. We travel better than any fan base out there.
• 9:52
  Speaker 2: So excited for the Black and Gold to hit the
• 9:54
  Speaker 2: streets of Paris. And that's gonna be a fun trip.
• 9:57
  Speaker 2: We're pumped out.
• 9:58
  Speaker 1: Phenomenal opportunity for people to cath of course from North America,
• 10:01
  Speaker 1: and also the European Steels Funds. That's Stadium Stan the
• 10:03
  Speaker 1: fronts you mentioned hosted the nineteen ninety eight World Cup final,
• 10:06
  Speaker 1: the Olympics, not that long ago iconic stadiums. I can't
• 10:09
  Speaker 1: wait to see the Steels runnup.
• 10:11
  Speaker 2: Pump for the Irish fans to get over to short
• 10:12
  Speaker 2: short flight over to Paris and you know accessible to
• 10:16
  Speaker 2: see us again live. If not in Pittsburgh, come over
• 10:19
  Speaker 2: to Paris and check it out.
• 10:20
  Speaker 1: Can't wait to se everybody the art later on this year. Lastly,
• 10:22
  Speaker 1: can you tell us how the Steelers will continue to
• 10:26
  Speaker 1: invest in Steelers Nation Ireland at events even when the
• 10:29
  Speaker 1: team aren't playing on the island this year.
• 10:32
  Speaker 2: Yeah, and you know we're going to continue to watch parties.
• 10:35
  Speaker 2: You know, we announced our Kennedy's Pub partnership recently, so
• 10:39
  Speaker 2: you'll be able to catch most Steelers game in the
• 10:42
  Speaker 2: basement of Kennedy's Pub. It's dressed up with with Steelers
• 10:45
  Speaker 2: gear and stuff, you know, black and gold on the walls,
• 10:48
  Speaker 2: so that'll be a special environment. We'll continue to bring
• 10:51
  Speaker 2: our players over their current and former to teach the game,
• 10:55
  Speaker 2: you know, on the fields of Ireland. So you know
• 10:58
  Speaker 2: we're we're not going anywhere with with our Irish momentum.
• 11:02
  Speaker 2: And you know, we just can't wait to get back
• 11:04
  Speaker 2: over there because every time we make the trip it's
• 11:07
  Speaker 2: so special to engage with with the Irish people and
• 11:10
  Speaker 2: you know, bring bring the Steelers brand to to a
• 11:12
  Speaker 2: market we love so much.
• 11:13
  Speaker 1: It's getting bigger and bigger. And thank you very much
• 11:15
  Speaker 1: for what you're doing. Don thank you for your time today.
• 11:18
  Speaker 1: And I'll just take this chancel myself and the behalf
• 11:20
  Speaker 1: of Steelers Fawns and Arn and listen. Then the very
• 11:22
  Speaker 1: very best look for the season and then we'll see
• 11:24
  Speaker 1: you in front.
• 11:24
  Speaker 2: Appreciate that, Michael, and thank you for everything you do
• 11:26
  Speaker 2: for for our game. You're you're a big spokesperson for
• 11:30
  Speaker 2: the game of American football, so we appreciate everything