Founder of Terrible Towel and My Favorite Announcer Dies…

Myron Cope, the legendary voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers who pioneered the club’s Terrible Towel, died Wednesday morning. He was 79.

In declining health even before his retirement prior to the 2005 season after a record 35 years of Steelers broadcasts, Cope died of respiratory failure at a nursing home in a Pittsburgh suburb.

“Myron touched the hearts of Steelers fans for 35 years and became one of the true legends in broadcasting history,” Steelers president Art Rooney II said. “His memorable voice and unique broadcasting style became synonymous with Steelers football. They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery and no Pittsburgh broadcaster was impersonated more than Myron.”

Cope, whose screechy voice was a staple of Steelers football from 1970-2004 as a color analyst on the club’s radio network, is best known for creating the Terrible Towel, the yellow cloth twirled by fans as a good-luck charm at Steelers games since the mid-1970s. His tenure is the longest in NFL history for a broadcaster with a single team.

“His contributions and dedication to Steelers football were incredible,” Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said. “His creation of the Terrible Towel has developed into a worldwide symbol that is synonymous with Steelers football.”

Inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005, Cope also is known for his many catch-phrases including Bee-uti-ful!, “Okel-dokel,” and “Double Yoi.”

When Cope retired, the Steelers opted not to replace the popular broadcaster, instead downsizing from a three-man announcing team to a two-man booth.

Written by Pat Lovell - The Steeler Fanatic
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