The Towels that Bind Steeler Nation

[Steeler Nation]

Myron Cope began broadcasting for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970. He spent 35 years on the Steelers radio broadcast and became synonymous with the Black and Gold. His nasal twang and unabashed love for the team were the staples that held Steeler Nation in place for the better part of four decades. He coined multiple nicknames, catchphrases and of course he is credited for inventing the Terrible Towel. In December 1975, Cope was searching for a way to get fans excited about hosting the Baltimore Colts in the divisional round of what would eventually be the Steelers’ second trip and victory in the Super Bowl. He urged fans to bring yellow dish towels to the game and wave them. The Terrible Towel may be the most recognized symbol in all of sports. It follows the team everywhere and fills Heinz Field on game day.

“We’ll urge people to bring out to the game gold or black towels, then I’ll tell people if you don’t have a yellow, black, or gold towel, buy one. And if you don’t want to buy one, dye one. We’ll call this the Terrible Towel.” – Myron Cope

Cope came up with the idea of towels because they were cheap and everyone either had or could afford to buy one. In 1996, Cope signed over the rights to the Terrible Towel to the Allegheny Valley School which provides care for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. Cope’s son Daniel was diagnosed with severe Autism and has resided at the facility for many years. The Terrible Towel sales have been responsible for over $6 million dollars dedicated to the school since Cope made his decision that the ‘Terrible Towels would pounce’ for charity.

My dad and brother were both huge Dallas Cowboys fans when I was growing up, and I remember the cringe look I got when I dug out our yellow bath towel during Super Bowl XIII. I also remember the disgust when I was waving it like crazy when Jackie Smith dropped the go-ahead touchdown. I bought my first official Terrible Towel during the 1995 Super Bowl run and chewed it nearly to pieces watching the big game with my brother as Neil O’Donnell took a turn as the goat in the return match versus the Dallas Cowboys.

I also remember, specifically December 6th, 2004. I was living in Jacksonville and attended the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday night game versus the Jacksonville Jaguars and it was an amazing experience, and the best game I ever had the privilege of watching live. Terrible Towels were visible everywhere and Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a late 4th quarter comeback which was the first last minute game-winning drive of his career in a 17-16 thriller that ended after Byron Leftwich, who only had 16 seconds to work with, got Josh Scobee into position to try a 60-yard FG that fell inches to the right of the goal post. Local Jacksonville sports radio personality and the future play-by-play voice of the Jaguars, Frank Frangie gushed about the atmosphere the next day on his afternoon radio show.

“That is what football should be. I’d be happy if the Jaguars played the Steelers 16 times a season. 8 games at Pittsburgh and 8 neutral site games here in Jacksonville.” – Frank Frangie

The Terrible Towels are made from everything from terry cloth to 34,000 Lego pieces. It is a unique symbol that bonds Steeler fans everywhere and nearly 50 years after its inception is still the most recognizable fan symbol in all of sport. Steeler eras have come and gone, but the yellow towels have endured a stadium change, three head coaches and two Hall of Fame quarterbacks. If aliens visited the planet and asked someone to explain the American love affair with football, I would like to believe they would simply show a video of Heinz Field and the unofficial flag of the NFL being twirled frantically in time with Renegade.



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[Djfan]

Chills brother. My first TT is a tattered, stinky, threadbare piece of me. I've waived it in many stadiums, obscure locations, and two countries.

Other teams have tried to copy it. Doesn't work.

 

[madinsomniac]

At the Pens game where they celebrated Roethlisberger, not only did they use towels, they played renegade

 

[KStilley]

I preferred the black terrible towel in the 70s but the yellow one obviously dominated which makes sense due to it's visibility. I was never able to hold onto them once I moved out of state. I'd come home for a game, buy one and leave it for next time. Upon return it was probably in the hands of a sibling or one of their kids. Finders keepers at grandma's house.