Myron Cope, legendary sports journalist and broadcaster, long-time Steelers announcer and creator of the Terrible Towel, passed away on Wednesday. I knew that his health had been failing for some time now, but it's sad to know that he's gone. He was truly a Pittsburgh icon. There is a really wonderful tribute article written by Gene Collier in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that you should take the time to read. Collier pretty much says it all when he describes Cope as "one of the last of the great sports characters, a genuine oasis in a sea of ever homogenizing media-ocrity." I remember watching many a Steeler game with the TV on mute, in favor of his radio commentary.
If you don't feel like reading, here's a brief video that will help explain why Cope was so unique and why Pittsburghers love him. I love Cope's simple assessment of himself as a broadcaster: "I just start talking and when they tell me to shut up, I shut up."
Comments
I only learned recently what a Terrible Towel was. There's a local pizza place owned by a Pittsburgh family, and the place is decorated with Steelers memorabilia, including several TTs.