Former Pittsburgh Steelers Announcer Myron Cope Dies

Longtime Steelers radio announcer Myron Cope died Wednesday morning at the Covenant of South Hills nursing home in Mt. Lebanon.

He was hospitalized in December with pneumonia.

Myron was born on January 23, 1929. He is nationally known as a writer and author. In the Pittsburgh area, he is best known for being the Steelers color commentary on radio for 35 years, for popularizing sports talk on Pittsburgh radio and for his unusual TV commentaries. And he invented the Terrible Towel in 1975.

Cope is one of the most beloved Pittsburgh broadcasting personalities.

Cope has had some bouts of bad health in recent years. In 2004 and early 2005 he battled a bout of pneumonia, which led to his decision to retire from the Steelers booth in 2005.

Cope's family has announced they plan to keep his funeral private.

Pitt Honors Cope At Basketball Game The University of Pittsburgh encouraged all fans attending Wednesday night's Pitt-Cincinnati men's basketball game at the Petersen Events Center to bring a Terrible Towel in honor of broadcasting icon Myron Cope, a 1951 graduate of Pitt.

Channel 11 Airs Memories of Myron Special Channel 11 televised a special entitled Memories of Myron Wednesday night. It will replay on Channel 11 on March 2 at noon and on PCNC on Feb. 28 at 11 p.m., Feb. 29 at 7:30 p.m., March 1 at noon and March 2 at 3 p.m.

Previous Stories: February 6, 2008: Cope's Condition Improving Slightly December 14, 2007: Legendary Pittsburgh Sportscaster Myron Cope Hospitalized May 9, 2007: Myron Cope Returns To Your TV October 30, 2006: Myron Cope Perfectly Predicts Steelers Crash September 13, 2006: Police Cite Myron Cope For Parkway Accident August 11, 2006: Myron Cope Involved In Parkway Accident June 1, 2006: Myron Cope Released From Hospital May 23, 2006: Myron Cope Remains Hospitalized May 21, 2006: Cope Hospitalized Again February 8, 2006: Myron Cope Collectors Shirts Hit Shelves October 31, 2005: Join Monday Night's 'Terrible Towel' Wave August 5, 2005: Football Hall Of Fame Honors Broadcast Legend July 21, 2005: Zoo's New Baby Penguin Might Say 'Yoi' June 21, 2005: Steelers Announce Cope's Retirement November 8, 2004: Myron Cope Hospitalized During Steelers Halftime