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Yoi !
You spent longer with the Steelers than Three Rivers
Stadium!
Myron Cope, the colorful Steelers
radio commentator of 35 years, passed away today in Mt Lebanon
township, just south of Pittsburgh, Pa. While heart failure may have been the ultimate cause
of his death, he was certainly never short of heart.
Myron is
probably best known for his creation of the Terrible Towel in 1975.
The profits from his
magically powerful towel haven’t been going into his pocket.
Since 1996, over 2 million dollars has gone to his favorite charity, the
Allegheny Valley School for children and adults with
intellectual developmental disabilities. Myron’s own son Danny has
lived at AVS since 1982.
The Terrible
Towel's
Certificate of Authenticity
"The
Terrible Towel is not an instrument of
witchcraft. It is not a hex upon the
enemy. The Towel is a positive force
that lifts the Steelers to magnificent
heights and poses mysterious
difficulties for the Steelers' opponents
only if need be. Many have told me that
the Terrible Towel brought them good
fortune, but I can't guarantee that sort
of thing because the Steelers, after
all, are the Towel's primary concern.
Still, at the least, the symbol of the
Terrible Towel will serve as a memento
of your having been part of the Steeler
Dynasty of the 1970s. And if it causes
good things to happen to you, so much
the better."
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As talented a writer Myron Cope was
for Sports Illustrated, he will be most remembered for his talents
as a performer, both in action and word. He coined the now
legendary phrase “Immaculate Reception” and local favorites, the
"Cleve Brownies" and "Bungals" for division rivals in
Ohio.
There were other clever phrases he used on radio with
his distinctive screeching voice like “Okle dokle” and “Yoi.” If something
merited special attention, it quickly became “Double Yoi.” I guess
you know you’re from Pittsburgh when you find yourself using his
expression “Yoi” in your emails.
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Myron's "office" from
1970-2000 through the Steelers' first 4 Super Bowl
championships. Myron
spent longer with the Steelers than 3 Rivers
Stadium. |
During an afternoon Press
Conference, Steelers president Art Rooney, II spoke fondly of Myron.
He referred to Myron as being a “great part of Steelers football”
and went on to say that Myron “brought Steelers football closer to the
fans.”
You betcha!
Myron
Cope
Myron
Sydney Kopelman
January 23, 1929 - February 27, 2008
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"A great
part of Steelers football"
Art Rooney, II
February 27, 2008 |
In lieu of flowers,
the family requests
that donations be made to:
Allegheny Valley School
1996 Ewings Mill Road, Coraopolis, PA 15108
Phone: 412-299-7777
The Autism Society of
Pittsburgh
4371 North Pike, Monroeville, PA 15146
Phone: 412-856-7223
MORE
Gene
Collier's commemoration of Cope's storied Life
Robert
Dvorchak on the Terrible Towel
Buy Terrible Towel merchandise
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