Voice of the Steelers Myron Cope Dies

KDKA TV ^ | 02/27/2008 | NA

[prisoner6]

A Look Back At The Life Of Myron Cope

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― From the Terrible Towel to the memorable Pittsburgh sayings, Myron Cope is a legend in sports broadcasting, but today his distinctive voice was silenced. He was 79.

And when it comes to colorful characters, Pittsburgh has produced none more unique than Cope.

But before Cope ever graced the airwaves, he was celebrated for his outstanding writing and special features for Sports Illustrated and the Saturday Evening Post. He was a star in the world of sports writing, but otherwise an unknown.

Then in 1968, a radio executive invited him to broadcast a brief daily sports commentary.

"What? My voice? But the radio executive said, 'We think we see a trend toward obnoxious voices,'" said Cope.

Those commentaries led to a spot in the Steelers broadcast booth starting in 1970, and soon after Cope began hosting a nightly sports call-in show.

The fans respected Cope, and Cope respected the fans, but he always made it fun, win or lose.

"The Steelers never had any cheerleaders," said retired Steeler, Dwayne Woodruff. "With Myron Cope, we didn't need any cheerleaders."

Cope invented the Terrible Towel in 1975 when the Steelers were headed into the playoffs and the broadcast bosses were looking for a gimmick.

[prisoner6]

A very sad day for The Steelers Nation. Myron was REAL Pittsburgh...a part of our city has gone.

Prayers for his children...I believe the proceeds from the Terrible Towel go to a special education school that one or both of his children attended.

Thank yunz Myron for some great memories n'at!

Yoi and double yoi!

prisoner6

[discostu]

I knew Myron was in failing health, glad he lived to see #5.

[martin_fierro]

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[xsmommy]

dang sad news.

[Petronski]

Thanks, Myron! Prayers and condolences all around.

[Petronski]

Thanks, Myron! Prayers and condolences all around.

[Space Moose]

I was listening to Myron when Yancey Thigpen dropped the last second pass that would have beaten Brett Favre and the Packers. The emotion was incredible.

RIP Myron Cope.

[WV Mountain Mama]

Ah man. Prayers and condolences for his family. I didn’t think he was doing well. Didn’t he recently have pneumonia?

[Joe 6-pack]

I still have my Terrible Towel that has traveled the world with me since I left Western PA in the mid '80s.

We'll miss you Myron!

[evets]

Thanks Myron! God bless.

[hometoroost]

It’s the passing of an era. Myron was a true original and a great sportswriter and personality. Hate to see him go - he was also a very decent guy.

[MadelineZapeezda]

A legend..he will be missed!!!
My hubby once recieved a 'Copanut' from him on the radio.

[Into the Vortex]

R.I.P. Myron.

I like to drive up to Johnstown Pa. from Maryland at least once a year to catch a Stiller game. Usually there’s a guy in the bar that sounds just like Myron.

[LetsRok]

That dropped pass sent the Packers to the Super Bowl.

[CTGOPPER]

I heard it first thing this morning from my sister who says the city is in mourning.

Condolences from Connecticut where I now live but Pittsburgh will always be home.

Getting my terrible towel out in tribute!

[HamiltonJay]

Double Yoy!

God’s speed.

[USS Alaska]

I was part of the group that started Franco's Italian Army and we inducted Myron into it 1972.

Frank Sinatra was playing in Las Vegas and heard about the whole Franco's Army thing and invited Myron, Tony Stagno {our 5 star General} and Al Vento {our 4 star General} to Las Vegas to meet him and induct Frank into the Army.

While I wasn't invited to go {I was Doc, the medic} they brought us pix back from Vegas with the Chairman of the Board, Myron, Tony, Al and Franco.

What great fun we had in those wonderful 70s with the Steelers kicking butt.

I finally sold my Steeler tix after 40 years.

My home had a basement flood in '99 and we lost those {and all our kids growing-up pix and video's}. Ughhh.

We still have the memories but pix would have been better.

Myron became good friends with those of us in the Italian Army.

The Italian Army was Tony Stagno's idea and he said from the beginning that any money made from the idea, {towels, scarfs, helmets etc. would go to charity}.

What great memories.

Myron, you are a Pittsburgh legend, RIP.

[Ramcat]

RIP Myron thanks for the memories.
Flying my terrible towel off the front porch in tribute.
Suggest Steeler Nation join me.

[Eska]

Myron Cope was part of the sports fabric in the Burgh. I remember turning on the radio and muting the volume on the tube for years.

[Into the Vortex]

Thats a great idea. Think I’ll do the same!