Title
Proclamation paying tribute to the life and legacy of Pittsburgh Steelers broadcasting legend Myron Cope.
Body
WHEREAS, on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, Allegheny County lost a much-revered legend; and
WHEREAS, Myron Cope was a lifelong Pittsburgher. Born Myron Kopelman in 1929, he worked only seven months outside of Pittsburgh at the Erie Times, where an editor changed his byline to “Myron Cope”; and
WHEREAS, after working for a time at the Post-Gazette, Myron realized his immensely talented writing abilities and made the decision to work as a free-lancer in the sports magazine industry. He went on to become a member of the original full-time staff of Sports Illustrated and also wrote for the Saturday Evening Post ; and
WHEREAS, Myron won several awards throughout his lifetime, including the E.P. Dutton Prize for “Best Magazine Sportswriting in the Nation,” being named a noted literary achiever on the occasion of the Heart Corporation's 100th anniversary, and the citation of his profile of Howard Cosell as one of Sports Illustrated's 50 all-time classic articles; and
WHEREAS, Myron's work in the sports industry was complemented by his tireless work with charitable organizations. He served on the board of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Autism Society of America and co-founded and served on the board of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, an auto race for charity, among many other endeavors. His introduction of the “Terrible Towel,” now a staple at Pittsburgh Steelers games, grosses thousands of dollars of revenue, all benefiting the Allegheny Valley School, an institution for those with mental and physical disabilities-a school that Myron's own son attended; and
WHEREAS, Myron is perhaps best remembered for his famously shrill voice and multiple catch phrases coined while working as a broadcaster during Pittsburgh Steelers games. Families turned down the volume on their televisions and turned up the radio during games to listen to Myron's shouts of “Yoi!” and “Double Yoi!” and a unique style of broadcasting that was all his own. He became the first pro football announcer elected to the National Radio Hall of Fame, one of his proudest achievements;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council would like to pay tribute to Myron Cope, a true original and a Pittsburgh legend. His work, both in sports and for charity, has touched millions of lives. On behalf of the citizens of Allegheny County and sports fans everywhere, we will truly miss you.