The year was 1975. An article ran in a prominent business magazine discussing marketing and fan interaction. “Color and motion may spur on a team to victory” it crowed. “Get me a Gimmick! Your contract is up in three months!” roared Vice President and General Manager of the station that broadcast Steeler games at Myron Cope, the radio announcer. “I guess I’m a gimmick guy.” Cope quipped and the Terrible Towel was born, being introduced to the world 40,000 strong at the Steeler’s 28-10 victory over the colts.
Now the Terrible Towel is the most indelible and endearing of all Steeler lore, appearing at all games, but reserved most fiercely for playoff appearances.
For more on the legend of the Terrible Towel, click here for Myron Cope’s story in his own words and here for the interesting wikipedia entry. See also the Immaculate reception too!
Great moments in the history of the Terrible Towel number 1….a towel hating broadcaster spews venom at a towel hanging in front of him, then goes spastic as a leak in the roof opens directly over his head. “Get rid of those infernal rags!” he howls as Terrible Towels are gleefully handed to him to dry off.
Now the Steelers march back to their second Super Bowl appearance in four years, and from all indications they will have an overwhelming home field advantage overt he Arizona Cardinals. The Steelers proved exactly how well they travel when they showed up in Detroit sporting no less than a 3-1 advantage over Seahawk fans. “Jay, it was more like 9-1 from where I was sitting,” said one venerable sportscaster. You tell me…the Arizona Cardinals? Who’ll be rooting for them? 49er and Cowboy fans wnho won’t want Pittsburgh to get six rings, that’s who!
We’ll have more on the Super Steelers and Super Bowl XLIII all week – in between praising Tom Coyne’s book A Course Called Ireland and reviewing some golf courses.
