Art Rooney II to present Bill Cowher at Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Bill Cowher chose Pittsburgh Steelers team president Art Rooney II to present him at his induction ceremony to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.

Cowher made his decision shortly after being elected as part of the Centennial Slate in January 2020, but he waited until Wednesday to announce it during an interview that aired on the team’s website.

Cowher called it a “no-brainer.”

“I called Art up that night, and I said, ‘Art, you’re the only one because you knew me before and you knew me after. You knew what our family was all about because it’s all about dynamics of family. I was working for one, we vacationed together, we were one big family. Yes, you’re held accountable. Yes, you had to make tough decisions. But no one knew me better, or knows me better, than Art Rooney. And it’s an honor to have you present me.’ ”

Cowher and the rest of the centennial class, which includes Troy Polamalu and Donnie Shell, will be enshrined Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio. The 2021 class, which includes Alan Faneca and the late Bill Nunn, will be enshrined the next day.

Rooney II said he was surprised when Cowher called that night last January.

“I had no idea what he was calling about,” Rooney II said. “When he told me this, I was really just speechless. It is going to be a great honor. Having worked with Bill that close for 15 years, and knowing each other, and having our families grow up together, it just so happened our kids were about the same age, so it was a fantastic 15 years and it’s great our relationship has continued until today. It’s going to be a special time, that’s for sure.”

In 15 seasons as Steelers head coach, from 1992-2006, Cowher had a career record of 161-99-1. His teams won eight division championships and made 10 playoff appearances. He led the Steelers to the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl title after the 2005 season with a 21-10 victory against Seattle in Super Bowl XL.