Posted on 12/23/2004 3:36:30 PM PST by FlyingHellfish
The Pittsburgh Steelers troop into a hotel lobby the night before a game, scores of black-and-gold-wearing fans huddling anxiously in waiting for their favorite star. Player upon player goes by, yet he still hasn't shown up, and the crowd is growing nervous.
Finally, amid a sea of mountainous men who tower over him by at least a half-foot, a small septuagenarian man appears to a frenzied response: "Myron! Over here! Sign my Terrible Towel! Myron, give me a hug!"
It's a familiar scene for announcer Myron Cope, who, at age 75, remains as popular in Pittsburgh as the players whose deeds he describes. That he does so at many decibels with a one-of-kind-voice -- think of a car careening to screeching stop -- adds to the allure, as does his invention of the towel that two generations of fans have twirled at Steelers games.
"He doesn't play, he doesn't put on a pair of pads, but he's revered probably as much or more in Pittsburgh than Franco (Harris), all the guys," said running back Jerome Bettis, who, like countless other Pittsburghers, occasionally performs a Cope impersonation. "Everybody probably remembers Myron more than the greatest players, and that's an incredible compliment."
It's one Cope accepts with a cackle of delight, just as he does the news that, in his 35th season, his career predates ABC's Monday Night Football -- by one day. Cope and a rookie quarterback named Terry Bradshaw both debuted Sept. 20, 1970. The first Monday night telecast was a day later......
(Excerpt) Read more at pittsburghlive.com ...
http://www.networksandwebapplications.com/myron/copeism.html
Manning will choke in the AFC championship game, no matter which team he faces.
Steelers all the way! I've been waiting for a season like this!
Last time it almost happened, they blew the AFC title.
32 years ago today, 12/23/72, Franco Harris caught the "Immaculate Reception"!!!
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