Disrespecting the Towel

In this video clip, the Cardinals' mascot is seen wiping his furry armpits with a Terrible Towel and the mayor of Phoenix mock blows his nose in it. One can only hope that the Cardinals suffer the 'Curse of the Towel' on Sunday. (Historically, other teams haven't fared well after the Towel gets disrespected).

"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.

One Fan's Opinion of Steely McBeam

These thoughts come courtesy of our friend Nick, who e-mailed them to The Steelyard this morning:

The new Steelers mascot, Steely McBeam, is hideous, just like all the Steelers' other mascots over the last 20 years. He looks like Mr. Peanut's drug addict brother.

But look at the history: We had The Fan, who looked like The Tin Man struggling with bulimia, and I guess The Thumb, which looked more like a giant penis than anything else. The thing frightened adolescent girls.

The Steelers don't need a damn mascot; they have fans who are colorful
enough—not to mention the ultimate team sport symbol, The Terrible Towel. Throw Steely into a Bessemer converter before it's too late.