An old friend takes orbit

Legendary Steelers broadcaster Myron Copeland always thought the Steelers were out of this world. Now the same can be said of him.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported today the there's a little piece of sky with Copeland's name on it. Actually its a minor planet — distant asteroid 1993 MC — that orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter.

Officially named 7835 Myroncope in honor of Cope, Dr. Eric Mamajek of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Mass. wanted to memorialize the man whose has meant so much to so many Steelers fans.

Too small to be seen by the naked eye, 7835 Myroncope is small and distant — only 3 miles wide and as close as 88 million miles from Earth, although its elliptical orbit can take it as far away as 387 million miles.

Dr. Mamajek said that while there's no chance of Myroncope colliding with Earth, "a direct impact at Cleveland Browns Stadium can perhaps not be ruled out."

I can almost hear Myron cackling.

A voice only a mother could love

It has often been said that a picture says a thousand words. Who ever said this clearly never heard the singularly unique voice of Myron Cope. As the world pauses to remember the Steel Nation's favorite son, we invite you to hear what Myron was best known for — those Cope-isms captured in the booth at Steelers' games. More Cope clips can be found here. We have also unearthed this Mark Collins story (Sept. 1996) that recalls the beginnings of Cope's radio career. The complete story may be found here.

"I would like to be remembered as a pretty decent writer.”

Did you know that Myron Cope was a contributor to Sports Illustrated and the Saturday Evening Post?

Fellow-writer Bob Labriola honors Myron Cope's wish to be remembered for more than just being the creator of the Terrible Towel. Read Labriola's story here.

There's another "Terrible Towel" in Heaven

"The squawking talisman of Steelers football," Myron Cope, the beloved sportscaster has died at the age of 79. Fans and players from across the nation are calling it "the end of an era."

The larger-than-life sportcaster who coined the phrase the "Immaculate Reception" and "Double Yoi!" may be best known for the creation of the Steelers' "Terrible Towel."

Condolences have been pouring in from around the sports world as people remember the man who loved Pittsburgh, the Steelers and football. Gene Collier from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette echoed the thoughts of many in the Steeler Nation:

"Myron Cope, the much-decorated master of the written word, the ever-celebrated sand-blaster of the spoken word, and a pre-eminent Pittsburgh symbol of not only our selves but of our hopes and our innate joyfulness, died today."

Click here for the complete obituary.

Myron Cope passes away

Sad news: Myron Cope passed away this morning at the age of 79. Following is a link to public statements released by the Steelers earlier today: