Former President Obama on Thursday mourned longtime Pittsburgh Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, who died Thursday at 84.

In a statement Thursday, Obama said Rooney was a great friend of his.

"But more importantly, he was a great friend to the people of Pittsburgh, a model citizen, and someone who represented the United States with dignity and grace on the world stage," Obama said in the statement.

The former president said he knew Rooney would do a "wonderful job" when he named him to the post of U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

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"But naturally, he surpassed my high expectations, and I know the people of Ireland think fondly of him today," he said.

"And I know the people of Pittsburgh, who loved him not only for the Super Bowl championships he brought as the owner of the Steelers, but for his generosity of spirit, mourn his passing today."

The Steelers confirmed Rooney's death on Twitter.