First, you’re involved in so many different things outside of football – what are the biggest things on your plate right now?
Well, I’m still practicing law – I’m the Chair of the Board of Directors at Eckert Seamans, Duquesne University, and the Pittsburgh Foundation. Those are the biggest things.
Your family and the Rooneys are always deeply involved in charity and community causes. Why do you think your families are so involved?
That’s a great question and one I often ask myself as well. There are a few of us that are more involved in charities. I’ve honestly thought about this over the years and I think there are multiple origins.
My grandfather and his wife – and my father and Aunt Rita – they were all very involved. On the Rooney side, Art was in his own ways too. We all had have been very concerned about the people in our community.
I think my experiences with the Franciscan Friars – and the Christian brotherhood – I think that contributed to me sense of how lucky we’ve been and how great Pittsburgh was to us. I think that’s where it all finds it’s roots,
When I went back to Central Catholic to speak, I talked about how that was the place where I had my first volunteer experience growing up. That was part of the school structure growing up – to volunteer as part of the school program. I think that’s where it all got started for me. I think that’s why I became a lawyer as well. To make some decent money and to be in a position to help people.
I know some of your family sold share of ownership in the Steelers – what is your role with them now?
I didn’t sell my shares – I retained mine. My brothers sold theirs after dad died. Candidly, we ran into estate tax issues after he and Rita died.
I could never sell my shares – I remained independent and kept a couple points. I grew up around it. I wish it were the way it used to be more. I never thought it would all get this big. It’s wonderful to be a part of it all.
How have things changed since you first started there?
I still go over for meetings yes. My daughter replaced me for a while but she became a judge and couldn’t do it any more. Art and I are good friends. I have a great deal of respect for him and, not that we need much, but if we need a signed ball or jersey for a friend, he delivers!
As kids we’d all go to practice on Thanksgiving. Now, my grandkids go and get to see the players. It’s great they can experience that as well.
I remember traveling with the players and coaches on road trips, getting to know people. The operational doings had been pretty informal then. Maybe they’ve become a bit more formal now as the numbers have grown. But we didn’t pay attention to titles then. Dan ran things and if he had a question about something he’d call and ask us about what we thought.
It was all more of a family business then. We all got along. We knew Dan had the ability to run things so it was nice just being there to help when he needed it.
What are some of the big issues you remember dealing with when you first were there?
The biggest one I remember most was when Ernie Holmes had his problems. I got a call from Dan telling me that some guy shot at a helicopter and they thought it was Ernie Holmes. Could it really be him? I said it sure sounded like him! So Dan, Coach Noll and I went and got him and I got a lawyer for him and we got him straightened out. It was a tragic thing, but funny as well.
Any other memories or players stand out?
Well of course the Immaculate Reception and seeing the team turn the corner into those great teams of the 70’s. Going to six Super Bowls and all of us staying at the hotel together and sharing that time with the players and family and the Rooneys.
My all time favorite player was Jack Butler. Back then they’d iron the numbers on the back of the players’ uniforms and I’d help do that! Stallworth and Franco – the thing is, the teams Noll had then – they were men of high quality. You go through the roster today and you see all the good things they’ve all done with their lives. They were nice and considerate people. I can still name the whole roster today!
Franco and Joe – my kids loved playing with them. They’d play little games with them all the time. And Buddy Dial was so much fun to watch play. It was such a great experience getting to do that as a young kid. It’s been a part o my life now for 76 years!
How does ownership work now in your opinion with so many people involved – so many voices?
After my dad passed the re-organization really began. There are a lot of voices now, but Art does a good job of listening to all of the voices, but he’s still set up as the owner. He’s thoughtful and listens to different thoughts. He’s reasonable. So there’s really not a lot of difference from how it used to be, thankfully.
Are there concerns you have about the league or team moving forward?
I’m always concerned as a lawyer about injuries and the concussion issue. We all were. I think Art and the family have shown a great concern for players and I hope as a league we have been able to successfully minimize injuries and improve player health.
The other thing that concerns me as a family owner is the fact that many owners are now billionaires with other interests. What that means for the future of NFL teams is unclear. For most of my life, many of the owners were families – like the Rooneys, Halas’ and Maras. We made our living in large part from football. Now it’s different. We have David Tepper for example as part of our ownership. He’s a terrific person who I have all the confidence in, but he plays with a different set of marbles than most do.
As the game becomes more complex, I worry that families like the Maras and Rooneys won’t be able to stay competitive as the league changes. Will that create disadvantages for family-owned teams like us in the future who can’t spend like they can?
But there is a cap to help with that…
There is, but you never know what happens over time. There’s a great deal of give and take between owners and players that gets negotiated. I just hope small and mid-sized markets get their fair share as well even if there is a cap when we negotiate revenues. If it’s not a lot of smaller market teams will be at a competitive disadvantage.
Are you worried about the future of the team ownership or any other concerns?
I don’t worry about the team – Art is very able and very resourceful. We all grew up together – Art is 10 years younger than me. He will be there a while. I know how thoughtful he is. And as long as I’m around I’ll help as well.
I told my kids and grandkids though every time they go to a game now, to appreciate what you see. You may never see a player like Ben again for a long time. Put him in your memory when you watch him play. You may never see that again.
It can be a desert after Ben. I hope not and that they find someone to come in and be able to do well. But who will replace number seven? That’s what I worry about – the quarterback position is the most important one in football. He’s such a marvelous player. There is a whole generation that doesn’t know another starting quarterback for the Steelers but him. Soon there could be three Heisman Trophy winners at quarterback in our division. So finding a quarterback after Ben is a big worry!
Any other thoughts on the team Jack?
I think the most wonderful thing about me I heard someone say was from Art. People said the McGiinleys will sell their shares for the money. and Art told them we don’t care about the money.
I just think about how lucky we are. We’re all Steeler fans, we just kind of get to sit at the 50 yard line – we just get better seats. But we’re all Steeler fans.
Thank you for helping me relive some of these memories! When people come into my office they say it’s like a museum – I have all kinds of stuff from the fight days and football. These are all great memories for me.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
