Myron Cope

Myron is as much a part of Steelers lore as any player or coach. He provided the soundtrack to the dynasty of the 70's that still resonates in Pittsburgh.

I remember my mom telling me the story of the terrible towel's inception. At the time the Houston Oilers passed out tiny white swaths of cloth, to be waved by the Oiler faithful at home games (the irony of Bud Grant's teams of the 70's waving the white flag is lost on no one, I'm sure.) Cope, in response produced an enormous yellow towel, not one of the hand-towel sized numbers you can find in any convenience store in Pittsburgh, but a parachute-esque beach towel that could apparently also be used for warmth during playoff games at Three Rivers.

I'd say the trend has passed the test of time.

I was lucky enough to listen to most of the last five years of Myron Cope's broadcasting career. Towards the end it was sad, and I imagine this effect was intensified in those who had listened to Cope since the 70's. Even those fans who found his voice less than melodic, respect his work as a journalist and sports writer.

Cope's color commentary during the 2004 season was like listening to Jerry Garcia in the early 90's. He couldn't do the job he did in the past, but there was still an almost mythical quality to his voice that made it acceptable, and enjoyable. In a way it was almost more special at the end because there was a palpable feeling that he was going to hang it up soon, one way or another, and we might as well enjoy it.

I saw the Rolling Stones play at PNC in 2005, Pearl Jam was the opening act, and I left wishing I could have seen the Stones in the 70's when they had the same energy Peal Jam has now. But it is the energy and passion of their early years that will define the Stones, not the last few tours where everything was played at a slower speed, because they were physically unable to kick up the tempo; Keith Richards played very deliberately, but it was still Richards.