Steelers chairman emeritus Dan Rooney is coming home.
According to Timothy McNulty of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rooney is stepping down as the United States’ ambassador to Ireland Friday.
Rooney was named ambassador by President Barack Obama, and has served as our country’s top diplomat in Dublin for more than three years.
Rooney was an advocate for Irish causes for decades before his appointment in July 2009. He was the first American ambassador to visit all 32 counties.
His return to the U.S. comes at a good time for the NFL, as his has been hailed as a voice of reason within the league.
Rooney has said in the past he’s not in favor of an 18-game season, saying “I would rather not have the money,” so it will be interesting to hear his advice on the suggestion of expanding the playoffs.