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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."

  
    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.
 

3 Rivers Stadium

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

"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
More sports blogs

   


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