Kate Mara Has Ties to Both Giants and Steelers Founders: Meet Her Great-Grandfathers
Actress Kate Mara revealed the full scope of her family’s football pedigree in a recent radio interview, confirming she descends from the founders of both the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers — two of the NFL’s most iconic franchises connected through a single family tree.
Appearing on TFI Friday Unplugged on Virgin Radio UK, Mara laid out the lineage for listeners.
“My great-grandfather on my dad’s side founded the New York Giants, and then my great grandpa on my mom’s side founded the Pittsburgh Steelers,” she said, adding, “It’s insane.”
Her great-grandfather on her father’s side was Timothy Mara, founder of the New York Giants. Her great-grandfather on her mother’s side was Art Rooney, founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The $500 Franchise That Launched a Dynasty
Tim stepped into the world of professional football in 1925, purchasing the New York Giants for just $500 at a time when the NFL was still finding momentum. What began as a modest investment grew into a lifelong commitment — he remained deeply involved with both the team and the league until his death in 1959, helping the Giants navigate the NFL’s uncertain early years. His steady leadership and belief in the sport played a meaningful role in keeping the league alive and setting it on a path toward lasting success.
That legacy didn’t stop with him. Wellington Mara, his son, became one of the most influential and respected figures in NFL history. Starting with the Giants in the 1930s, Wellington gradually took on a larger role after World War II, eventually serving as co-owner and president. Over the course of nearly 70 years, he helped guide not just the franchise, but the league itself.
Wellington was instrumental in shaping the modern NFL, championing new ideas. For fans who appreciate how smaller-market teams can still compete on equal ground, much of that structure traces back to his vision.
The Mara family’s bond with the Giants remains strong today — Kate’s father, Chris Mara, continues to be part of the organization, carrying forward a legacy that has helped define the NFL for generations.
Art Rooney and the Birth of the Steelers
On the other side of the family tree stands Art (1901–1988), who established the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1933 and remained closely involved with the franchise and the league until his death in 1988.
Known for his loyalty, humility and deep connection to the city of Pittsburgh, Art helped build the Steelers into one of the league’s most respected organizations. Like the Maras, his long-term commitment and steady leadership helped strengthen the NFL and shape its enduring culture.
Football as the Family’s Common Thread
When a clip from Kate’s Virgin Radio UK interview was posted on the channel’s Instagram page, fan reactions reflected genuine surprise and respect. Comments included “I didn’t realize she had Rooney lineage,” “She comes from Football Royalty” and “So she’s NFL royalty.”
Her sister Rooney Mara — whose first name itself reflects the family’s Steelers lineage — offered a window into their upbringing in an August 2013 interview with The Scotsman: “I didn’t love football growing up, and I’m not obsessed with it, but it’s a huge part of my heritage.”
“I love both teams very much. But my dad works for the Giants, and I live in New York …” she added.
The Truth About That ‘Super Bowl Clause’
Kate Mara also used the radio appearance to address the long-circulating rumor that she carries a “Super Bowl clause” in her acting contracts. Her answer was direct.
“No,” she said, explaining the story originated when the Pittsburgh Steelers were in the Super Bowl while she was filming 24. “At the time I didn’t have a lot of clout, so I wasn’t able to convince them to let me off that morning. I wasn’t going to be able to make it back in time to film, and so I had to miss the Super Bowl. So then I said, ‘Ok, well, any time moving forward if it’s near the Super Bowl, we have to make sure that if either the New York Giants or the Steelers are in, that I’ll be able to go to the Super Bowl,’ and then someone thought that that was, ‘Oh well, now she has it in every contract.’”
“It’s not true,” she added.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
