This is really sad:
Myron Cope, the screechy-voiced announcer whose colorful catch phrases and twirling Terrible Towel became symbols of the Pittsburgh Steelers during an unrivaled 35 seasons in the broadcast booth, has died. He was 79.
Cope died Wednesday morning at a nursing home in Mount Lebanon, a Pittsburgh suburb, Joe Gordon, a former Steelers executive and a longtime friend of Cope’s, told The Associated Press.
Cope had been treated for respiratory problems and heart failure in recent months, Gordon said.
Cope’s tenure from 1970 to 2004 as the color analyst on the Steelers’ radio network is the longest in NFL history for a broadcaster with a single team. Cope was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005.
To outsiders, Cope had one of the most grating and annoying voices ever. To Steelers fans, it was like a mother’s lullaby.
Yoy, and double yoy. Thanks for the memories, Myron.
Some Myron audio.
Steven Hawkins
If you say Gerard Butler 3 times in front of a mirror your jaw breaks
tim serbo
that’s a shame. in an age of increasingly homogeneous broadcast voices, Cope was blatantly and unashamedly of his region. i’m a Patriots fan (so sue me), but even i could appreciate his comedy and catchphrases. and he was the only sportscaster i’ve ever heard who could correctly identify Nijinsky (much to Tunch Ilkin’s befuddlement). anyway, vale, Myron.
sean
RIP Myron. The Terrible Towels will be waved at half-staff
Tim F.
Yoi. At least he lived to see the fifth superbowl trophy.
Robert P.
I also posted on this, you can find a couple clips at the post. Hang those Stillur Turrible Towels at half-mast.
ed
To outsiders, Cope had one of the most grating and annoying voices ever. To Steelers fans, it was like a mother’s lullaby.
Sounds like he may have been the Johnny Most of football.
Dr Fog
A very sad day indeed for the Black and Gold and their fans. We’ve lost a fine man, a unique voice, and an award-winning writer. The world just got a little less interesting.
Bubblegum Tate
Terrible Towels at half mast indeed. Things just won’t be the same with you, Myron. RIP.
Vlad
Very sad news.
Myron’s rightly remembered for his distinctive broadcast work, but he was also a pretty good sportswriter. If you’re ever in a library with some time to kill, take a minute to look at some of the pieces he wrote for Sports Illustrated in the ’60s and ’70s. His 1966 profile of Roberto Clemente is one of my favorites.
Anonymous Jim
I went to christmas concert at a high school in the south hills and sat in front of Myron. A portion of the concert was a sing along. It was not a pleasant experience but it is a pleasant memory.
Tom Levenson
“To outsiders, Cope had one of the most grating and annoying voices ever. To Steelers fans, it was like a mother’s lullaby.”
That explains a lot about the general temperament of Steeler’s fans….(jokin, man).
(And as someone who learned to love the nicotine scrubbed rasp of Johnny Most, calling games in the great era of Celtics dominance, I’m one to talk.)
RIP Myron. Anyone who forms part of the fabric of a city has done well.
chiggins
Never had the pleasure of hearing Mr. Cope, but I remember my stomach turning over the day Chick Hearn left us. Condolences.
FearItself
I never heard Johnny Most, but I always thought of Cope as the Ethel Merman of football.
The broadcast world just got a little bit more homogeneous. He will be missed.
AlabamaYankee
Bob Prince for the Pirates and Myron Cope for the Steelers. Both iconic voices and styles are now gone.
Poopyman
Sad, but not unexpected after his retirement. As a native and a fan since John Henry Johnson ran the ball, I mourn the passing of yet another connection to my hometown.
John Powers
Myron Cope had a long running radio-call in show. I’m not a big sports fan, but remember the show fondly. Myron was a consistent voice for doing the right thing; for sportsmanship and for tolerance and decency generally. His passing makes me sad.
Mary
I had never, ever heard of Cope before, but — wow. He was obviously just the kind of eccentric, endearing hometown guy that you couldn’t help loving.
Jesse
Myron,
Pittsburgh will remember you always and the terrible towels will always be remembered in your honor.