Myron Cope

Myron Cope
Name	Myron Cope
Birth name	Myron Sidney Kopelman
Birth date	January 23, 1929
Birth place	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death date	February 27, 2008
Death place	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation	Sports journalist, broadcaster, author, singer
Years active	1953–2004
Known for	Color commentary for Pittsburgh Steelers, creator of "The Terrible Towel"

Myron Cope was an American sports journalist, radio personality, and color commentator best known for his long association with the Pittsburgh Steelers and for creating "The Terrible Towel." A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he combined inventive language, distinctive vocalizations, and promotional savvy to influence sports broadcasting, fan culture, and charity initiatives in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and beyond. His career intersected with major figures and institutions in American football, broadcasting, and journalism across the late 20th century.

Early life and education

Cope was born Myron Sidney Kopelman in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in a family tied to the city's Jewish community, including connections to Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh and local synagogues. He attended Taylor Allderdice High School and later matriculated at University of Pittsburgh, where he studied journalism and became involved with campus publications and regional media outlets. His early influences included personalities and institutions such as Edward R. Murrow, Walter Winchell, Hedy Lamarr (via popular culture), and the evolving broadcast environments of KDKA and WTAE-TV.

Broadcasting career

Cope's professional trajectory began in print journalism with stints at newspapers and magazines before he transitioned to radio and television, working for outlets such as KDKA (AM), KQV, and regional television stations. He developed a reputation for animated color commentary and catchphrases while collaborating with play-by-play announcers and production teams that included voices from NBC Sports, CBS Sports, and local affiliates. Over decades he covered National Football League games, interacting with players, coaches, and executives linked to franchises like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and San Francisco 49ers. Cope's style drew comparisons to other broadcasters such as Howard Cosell, Vin Scully, and John Madden, and he contributed to national broadcasts, radio shows, and syndicated columns that reached audiences across Pennsylvania and the United States.

Pittsburgh Steelers and "The Terrible Towel"

Cope's most enduring public association was with the Pittsburgh Steelers, for whom he served as color commentator alongside play-by-play partners affiliated with stations including WTAE-TV and networks like ESPN. In 1975 he created "The Terrible Towel" as a rallying symbol for Steelers fans, distributing towels during NFL playoff games and cultivating traditions observed at Three Rivers Stadium and later Heinz Field. The Towel became entwined with championship seasons under coaches such as Chuck NollBill Cowher and players including Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Jack Lambert, and Hines Ward, and featured during Super Bowl appearances that linked the Steelers to broader NFL history. Proceeds from the trademarked towel later benefited the Allegheny Valley School and related charities serving individuals with developmental disabilities.

Writing and voice work

Beyond live game commentary, Cope authored books, columns, and essays that appeared in publications like The Pittsburgh Press and national magazines, offering profiles of athletes, cultural critiques, and humorous vignettes. He lent his voice to radio commercials, animated segments, and documentary projects that connected him with producers and directors from companies affiliated with National Football League Films, regional public radio, and independent publishers. Cope's written works and vocal performances reflected relationships with sportswriters and editors from outlets such as The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, The Washington Post, and local journalism institutions.

Personal life and health

Cope married and had a family with three children; his son and daughter figures were active in Pittsburgh civic and philanthropic circles, collaborating with local hospitals and nonprofits. He lived in the Sewickley, Pennsylvania area and maintained ties to community organizations in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In later years Cope faced declining health, including complications from Parkinson's disease and conditions requiring hospitalization at regional medical centers like Allegheny General Hospital. He died in Pittsburgh in 2008, with memorials and tributes from teams, colleagues, and institutions across Pennsylvania and the NFL community.

Legacy and honors

Cope's legacy is visible in the enduring popularity of "The Terrible Towel," the institutional memory of Pittsburgh Steelers broadcasts, and philanthropic endowments benefiting the Allegheny Valley School and disability services. He received honors from local sports halls of fame and civic bodies, and his name appeared in retrospectives by media outlets such as ESPN, Fox Sports, The New York Times, and Pittsburgh broadcasters. The cultural impact of his catchphrases, character voices, and merchandising innovations is recorded in histories of sports marketing, fan culture, and broadcasting, alongside references in works covering the NFL Hall of Fame, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and regional museums.

Category:1929 births Category:2008 deaths Category:American sports announcers Category:People from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania