WASHINGTON -- One of Pittsburgh's "first families" welcomed the country's new first family at a bipartisan event on the eve of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.

Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney was in the receiving line before dinner at the "Yes We Did Celebration" Monday night. He gave Obama a game ball from the previous night's AFC Championship at Heinz Field.

"I had the opportunity to talk to the president, and I did give him a football, and he was very happy about that," Rooney said Tuesday, during an interview with WTAE Channel 4's Bob Mayo at the Steelers' South Side offices.

"That was a rare moment," said Obama's senior adviser, David Axelrod. "That was one we didn't expect."

The gift was one of several footballs that were used in the game.

"They put a 'K' on it, which means that it was a kickoff ball, so I think this was the ball that was used for the kickoff -- the opening kickoff -- and that was sort of a special touch," said Rooney.

Obama is a self-professed fan of the Steelers, having mentioned it a few times on the presidential campaign trail last year -- and now, he has an invitation to watch the Steelers play the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

"I said, 'I know you can't do this, I'd love to have you come to the game, you can come be with me,'" Rooney said. "And he said, 'Boy, that would be great.' He said, 'I'd have to think, but I have too much work to do right now.'"

Back home in Pittsburgh, Rooney watched Obama's inauguration speech on television on Tuesday and said it was "just magnificent."

"I thought he did a terrific job. He always does, but I think this was special that he challenged the nation and said we will have many challenges, but they will be met," Rooney said. "He said that we have to overcome fear with hope, talking about freedom, and freedom is what kept this country together. He did speak about our differences, our diversity, the religious diversities, the racial diversities, and that they have to 'shrink,' is the word he used. And I just thought it was excellent."

Rooney publicly endorsed Obama throughout his campaign and often met with Obama when he visited Pittsburgh.

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