Columbus, OH — John Rooney, 83, who with his twin brother, Pat, managed Liberty Bell and Green Mountain racetracks when both were owned by their family, died Dec. 26, 2022.

John Rooney was the son of Pittsburgh Steelers founder Arthur J. Rooney Sr. He was a minority shareholder in the team, at one point with a 16 percent share in the Steelers, but according to Pittsburgh media reports, he sold most of it in 2009 as ownership of the team consolidated around Dan Rooney and his son, current team president Art Rooney II, because of NFL rules prohibiting ownership of teams and associations with gambling businesses.

He was a member of the USTA Board of Directors, elected in 1975, serving three years.

John was one of Art Rooney’s five sons: his twin brother, Pat, Dan, Art Jr., and Harness Racing Hall of Famer Tim, well known for his ownership and management of Yonkers Raceway until the track was sold to MGM.