Terrible Towel

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Two Terrible Towels at a Pittsburgh Steelers game Terrible Towel 2006.jpg
Two Terrible Towels at a Pittsburgh Steelers game

The Terrible Towel is a rally towel associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers, an American football team in the National Football League (NFL). The Terrible Towel has spread in popularity; for example, fans take their Towel to famous sites while on vacation. The Towel has been taken to the peak of Mount Everest, and even into space on the International Space Station. It is widely recognized as a symbol of the Steelers and the city of Pittsburgh. [1] [2]

Contents

Proceeds from sales of the Towel have raised over US$8 million for Allegheny Valley School, which cares for people with mental disabilities and physical disabilities. The Terrible Towel is credited with being the first "rally towel" and its success has given rise to similar products promoting other teams. [3]

Numerous versions have been produced; almost all are black and gold in color with the words "Myron Cope's Official The Terrible Towel" printed on the front. In October 2009 a pink Terrible Towel was introduced to promote Breast Cancer Awareness.

Origin

Original commercially marketed Terrible Towel, sold exclusively by Gimbel's Department Store, 1976 Original-terrible-towel.jpg
Original commercially marketed Terrible Towel, sold exclusively by Gimbel's Department Store, 1976

In 1975, the Steelers won the AFC Central title and qualified for the playoffs. WTAE was the team's flagship radio station. Two weeks prior to the Steelers' first playoff game, WTAE's Vice President and General Manager, Ted J. Atkins, and President of Sales, Larry Garrett, said that they needed the assistance of Myron Cope, the Steelers radio broadcaster, in inventing a "gimmick" which would attract sponsors to his daily commentaries and talk show. [2] Initially, Cope did not want to participate, saying "I am not a gimmick guy, never have been a gimmick guy." [4] However, after Garrett's suggestion that a successful gimmick would be good leverage for a raise in Cope's upcoming contract renewal, Cope replied, "I'm a gimmick guy." [4] [5]

The three men, along with other radio station advertising personnel, began brainstorming ideas. [4] One idea, a black mask including coach Chuck Noll's motto "Whatever it takes", was deemed too expensive. [4] Cope said the gimmick should be something "lightweight and portable and already owned by just about every fan." [4] Garrett suggested using towels. Cope agreed, suggesting the words "The Terrible Towel" be printed on the front. [4] It was agreed that the towels would be gold or yellow, with the writing in black—the colors of the Steelers. Franklin C. Snyder, who was head of WTAE's radio and television stations, held the final approval of the idea. He approved the idea on the stipulation that black towels would also be allowed, in order to avoid accusations of racism from the FCC; Cope and Garrett agreed. [6]

In the weeks leading up to the game, Cope advertised the idea of the towel to fans on the radio and evening television news, using the phrase "The Terrible Towel is poised to strike!" [4] However, Atkins grew nervous that fans would think the towel was a jinx if the Steelers lost the game. [6] Cope agreed to poll players on their view of the towel. Linebacker Jack Ham told Cope, "I think your idea stinks"; [6] Ernie "Fats" Holmes was also against the idea. [6] Also against the idea of the Towel was Andy Russell, who mirrored Cope's original thoughts, "We're not a gimmick team. We've never been a gimmick team." [6] Cope simply replied, "Russell, you're sick." [7] Growing nervous about the negative feedback, Cope, who had already advertised the towel on the news multiple times, polled the rest of the players with a "banana-republic vote". [6]

I found Terry Bradshaw seated on a stool at his locker, reading the farm reports. "How do you feel about the Terrible Towel?" I asked him.

He looked up and said, "Huh?"

I check him off as a yes...I reported back to Ted Atkins that the Steelers overwhelmingly approved of the Towel.

— Myron Cope, Double Yoi! [6]

The Towel made its debut on December 27, 1975, in a playoff game against the Baltimore Colts. Prior to the game, Cope, whose idea had been mocked by the local Pittsburgh Post-Gazette , watched the gathering fans through his binoculars from the broadcast booth. He saw fewer than a dozen towels while players were going through pre-game warm-ups. [7] Cope recalls, "Nearing kickoff, the Steelers gathered in their tunnel for introductions, whereupon the crowd exploded—and suddenly, by my estimation, 30,000 Terrible Towels twirled from the fists of fans around the stadium!" [7] The Steelers went on to defeat the Colts 28–10. In the following weeks, the team defeated the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, to capture the franchise's second consecutive Super Bowl victory. [8] Even while the Steelers struggled through the 1980s, the Towel remained a large part of the franchise. [9] During the Towel's debut game Andy Russell, who had opposed the idea of the Towel, returned a fumble 93‒yards for a touchdown. The play inspired local fan Lisa Benz to write about the Towel, which she later sent to Cope. [8] In part, her poem read: [8] [10]

He ran ninety-three
like a bat out of hell,
And no one could see
How he rambled so well.
"It was easy", said Andy
And he flashed a crooked smile,
"I was snapped on the fanny
By the Terrible Towel!"

Appearance

Steelers fans waving the Terrible Towel at Heinz Field -- October 15, 2006 Pittsburgh Steeler fans 15 Oct 2006.jpg
Steelers fans waving the Terrible Towel at Heinz Field — October 15, 2006

The Towel has been redesigned multiple times, as well as spawning its own line of paraphernalia. The line, known as "Terrible Stuff", includes T-shirts, license plates, pillows, earrings, and beach towels; all include The Terrible Towel logo. [11] When originally released, the towel was available in gold and black, was a simple design and had the words "the terrible towel" printed on the front. The current version of the Towel, introduced in 1998, adds the words "Myron Cope's Official" on the top and "A Pittsburgh Original" at the bottom. [12] Towels with a plethora of variations are also in production; such variations include Towels featuring the Steelers logo, [13] embroidered lettering, [14] and towels with reversed colors featuring yellow writing on a black towel. [15] Throughout the years there have also been many special edition Towels. After the Steelers won Super Bowl XL in 2005, a Towel with the words "Super Bowl XL Champions", the date, final score, and Super Bowl XL logo was released. [16] The victory also spawned the production of a Towel featuring the logos of the six Super Bowls that the franchise has won. [17] During the Steelers' 75th anniversary season in 2007, a special edition Towel with the logo of the Steelers' benchmark season was added to the line-up of Towels. [18] The original 1975–1997 Terrible Towel is sold as a throwback on the Steelers official website. [19] A giant Terrible Towel measuring 54' x 90' was introduced at the 2014 home opener at Heinz Field and was "waved" by the 144 fans holding it.

Rights, marketing and proceeds

Upon the sudden popularity of the Terrible Towel, Pittsburgh-area department stores sold out all gold and black hand towels. [20] Because the hand towels were often sold as a set, with matching bath towels, stores were left with un-even sets. [20] In the fall of 1978, Bernard Pollock, divisional marketing manager of Gimbel's Department Store came up with the idea of putting a Terrible Towel logo on hand towels and sold the idea to Cope. The first Terrible Towels were sold on December 20, 1978, at $6 apiece. Gimbel's could not stock them fast enough. [21] [22] Gimbel's has since gone out of business. The original version of The Terrible Towel was manufactured by Fieldcrest and distributed by St. Mary's Inc. of New York and was available in two colors: Gold and Black. The current manufacturer of the Towel is Little Earth Productions, Inc. of Pittsburgh, who took over from McArthur Towel & Sports Co. of Baraboo, Wisconsin, in 2013. [20] The current cost of a towel is approximately $10 (in January 2021 at the Steelers' online store). [23]

In 1996, Cope gave the rights to The Terrible Towel to the Allegheny Valley School in Coraopolis. [24] The school provides care for more than 900 people with intellectual and physical disabilities, including Cope's autistic son, Danny. [20] [25] Proceeds from the Terrible Towel have helped raise more than $6 million for the school. [26]

During the 2005 season, when the Steelers won their fifth Super Bowl, more than 1 million Towels were sold; some fans bought 200 Towels at a time. [27]

Widespread recognition

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, Captain Daniel Susich, showing their Terrible Towels in flight over Afghanistan Terrible Towels in an F-15, Afghanistan.jpg
Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle pilot, Captain Daniel Susich, showing their Terrible Towels in flight over Afghanistan
Terrible towel on the International Space Station Terrible towel space station.jpg
Terrible towel on the International Space Station

Upon its invention, Cope commented on the multi-functional ability of The Terrible Towel, "I'll tell 'em they can use the towel to wipe their seats clean. They can use it as a muffler against the cold. They can drape it over their heads if it rains." [4] However, the towel is often used by fans who do not attend games. Fans often drape the towel over their radios or television sets; some even dress their pets or babies with it. [8]

It has become a tradition for Steelers fans to take Terrible Towels on vacation, taking pictures next to well-known tourist destinations. [28] Fans have taken the Towel to locations such as the Great Wall of China, the South Pole, Vatican City, and to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. [28] [29] Hampton native Kevin Cherilla took his Terrible Towel during his climb to the peak of Mount Everest. [30]

Military personnel have taken pictures with the Towel while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the War on Terrorism. [31] Fans waved Terrible Towels at the gold medal match for Women's beach volleyball at the 2008 Olympic Games. [32] Prior to the 2008 AFC Championship Game astronaut Colonel Mike Fincke, a Pittsburgh Native, waved the Terrible Towel from the International Space Station. [33] [34] [35] The Terrible Towel is seen in the Scrubs season five episode "My Bright Idea", hanging on the cork board of Carla and Turk's apartment as she comes out of the bathroom after performing what she believes to be another unsuccessful pregnancy test. During her campaign for the 2008 Presidential Election, Hillary Clinton received a Terrible Towel during a visit to Pittsburgh. [36] During the 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit, visiting dignitaries received Terrible Towels in gift bags from the city. [37] The Terrible Towel is displayed prominently and waved by Rapper Wiz Khalifa in the music video for his song Black and Yellow , which debuted during the 2010 NFL season. [38] The Terrible Towel made an episode in season 12 of Dancing with the Stars on March 21, 2011. After Hines Ward danced, Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris is seen twirling the towel. Pittsburgh native Meghan Klingenberg waved a Terrible Towel after scoring a goal at Heinz Field during the US Women's National Team victory tour following the 2015 World Cup.

Honoring Cope

In 2005, Cope retired after 35 years as the Steelers radio announcer –the longest tenure of any broadcaster with a single team in NFL history. [39] Cope was honored by the Steelers with the release of a limited special edition Towel, featuring his name and catch phrases. Cope was made an honorary co-captain for the Steelers for a Monday night game against the Baltimore Ravens. Cope led the fans in a towel wave at half time; the Towel that Cope used is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. [40]

In response to how he would like to be remembered, Cope responded, "When I kick the bucket, there'll be a little story that'll say, 'Creator of Towel Dead'". [41] On February 27, 2008, Cope died of respiratory failure in Pittsburgh. [42] The following day, an article from the Associated Press concerning Cope's death was entitled "Former Steelers broadcaster, Terrible Towel creator Cope dies". [39] Upon Cope's death, over 350 fans gathered in downtown Pittsburgh in snowy weather for a tribute. The ceremony concluded with one minute of silent Towel waving. [43] Days later, Saturday Night Live cast member Seth Meyers waved a Terrible Towel on Saturday Night Live in tribute to Cope. [44]

When Cope died in 2008, his daughter draped his coffin with a quilt made from Terrible Towels that were sewn together by a fan.[ citation needed ] She chose the quilt because it represents the many different people who touched their lives.

Opposition

"I did not see the Terrible Towel as witchcraft to hex the enemy. It would be a positive force, driving the Steelers to superhuman performance, but if it experienced a yen for mischief and created fatal mistakes by opponents, I would tolerate that."

—Myron Cope [7]

Since the inception of the Terrible Towel, numerous opposing teams, mascots, and players have shown disrespect or have defaced the Terrible Towel.

Before a 1994 playoff game against the Steelers' long-time rival Cleveland Browns, Steelers defensive tackle Brentson Buckner accidentally dropped a Towel that he was waving during the player introductions. Browns running back Earnest Byner stepped on the Towel yelling, "We don't care about your towel. We're going to beat you this time." This act "provok[ed] other Steelers and Browns to mingle. Not affectionately." [45] The Steelers won the game 29–9. [45]

During a December 4, 2005, game at Heinz Field, T. J. Houshmandzadeh of the Cincinnati Bengals wiped his feet on a Towel after he scored a touchdown. [46] Although the Bengals managed a 7-point victory in that regular season game, the Steelers came back to defeat them 31–17 in the playoffs, on their way to a victory in Super Bowl XL. [47] The Bengals did not reach the playoffs again until the 2009–10 season, after Houshmandzadeh had left the team.

Before the September 29, 2008, Steelers game at Heinz Field, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason stomped on a Terrible Towel. The Ravens then went on to lose all three of their 2008 season games against the Steelers, including the 2008 AFC Championship Game. [48]

On October 8, 2008, the Steelers played the Jacksonville Jaguars at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. At that point of their season, the Jaguars were 2–2–0, and feeling very hopeful for the season following a defeat at home of their division rival Indianapolis Colts. The game was very close going into the second half, and the Steelers were still stinging from a Mathis interception and runback for a touchdown. Shortly after the start of the third quarter, Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville stood alongside some cheerleaders, and produced a Terrible Towel, which he used to rub his armpits and buttocks. Shortly after that, the Steelers ran away with the game and the Jaguars lost 26–21.

On December 21, 2008, LenDale White and Keith Bulluck of the Tennessee Titans stepped on a Terrible Towel after the Titans's 31–14 victory. Pittsburgh's Larry Foote responded, "They deserved to do that, they whooped us, they deserve to celebrate and, hopefully, we'll see them again." [49] While Hines Ward said, "[T. J. Houshmandzadeh] did kind of the same thing and you see where they went." [49] Former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, by this point working for CBS as an analyst on The NFL Today , mentioned on the program that such antics can come back to haunt teams. [50] Tennessee was the top seed in the playoffs, however following the incident the Titans proceeded to lose eight consecutive games, including an '08 divisional playoff game and their '09 Week 1 game against the Steelers, 13–10. After the Titans' 8th consecutive loss—a 59–0 blowout to the New England Patriots, the Titans worst loss ever—Titans coach Jeff Fisher expressed regret for his team's behavior towards the Towel, and a number of Titans players autographed a Terrible Towel and mailed it to Allegheny Valley School – the Pittsburgh charity that now owns the trademark. The Titans won their next 5 games.

On January 27, 2009, at a public sendoff in Phoenix for the Arizona Cardinals before they faced the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon produced a towel and called the Cardinals mascot, Big Red to the stage, where he used the towel to wipe his armpits. Gordon then blew his nose on the towel. [46] The Cardinals then proceeded to lose the Super Bowl to the Steelers, 27–23.

On October 11, 2009, the Pittsburgh Steelers played the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Nearing the end of the fourth quarter the Steelers were up by 8 points and the Lions were marching down the field. At this time the Lions mascot Roary The Lion, stepped on, bit and ripped apart a Terrible Towel. Following this the Lions suffered three straight sacks to put them in a long fourth and twenty-eight situation. The Lions did not convert and the Steelers won the game 28–20.

Several Blue and White "Terrific Towels" were made for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2009 season playoffs, one of which received some airtime during their AFC championship victory. [51] The Colts subsequently lost Super Bowl XLIV to the New Orleans Saints.

After a 13–10 Ravens win in Pittsburgh on November 18, 2012, Ray Rice walked off the field waving a Terrible Towel over his head and singing Steelers rally song "Renegade" with teammates. [52] Rice publicly stated after the game that no disrespect was intended. [53] Two weeks later on December 2, the Ravens lost to the Steelers 23-20 despite being at home and facing Pittsburgh's third-string quarterback, Charlie Batch. Losing four of their last five games notwithstanding, Baltimore would go on to win the AFC North and follow that with a playoff run to become Super Bowl XLVII Champions, giving them the distinction of being the first and only team in NFL history to have shown disrespect toward the Terrible Towel and win the Super Bowl. However, prior to the 2014 season, Ray Rice was suspended due to a domestic violence incident in the offseason and was subsequently released and has not been signed by another team since. Furthermore, up until their Super Bowl victory the Ravens had made the playoffs in each of the first five seasons under John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco but have had only one playoff appearance (and only one winning season) over the next four years, albeit their one playoff victory during that span was against the Steelers. [54]

On an October 5, 2014 game between the Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field, in which the Steelers won 17–9, Jaguars mascot Jaxson de Ville was seen holding a Terrible Towel on one hand and a handwritten sign that reads "Towels Carry Ebola" on the other hand, mentioning the deadly outbreak that started in West Africa. The next day, the Jaguars issued an apology for the incident. [55]

On February 7, 2016, the Florida Panthers' mascot, Stanley C Panther, blew his nose into a Terrible Towel, with the Pittsburgh Penguins down 0–2 with around six minutes left in the third period. After this, the Penguins then tied the game in regulation, and won it in overtime. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this was the first time in Pittsburgh Penguins franchise history that they have overcome a 2–0 deficit to win with six minutes left in the game. Kris Letang scored the OT winner, and Sidney Crosby tied the game with the goaltender pulled late in regulation. The Panthers went on to lose in the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs while the Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup.

On September 12, 2016, before the Steelers' 2016 season opener against the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football, Redskins punter Tress Way posted a video on Twitter of a spirit video his mother sent him, which culminated in her burning a Terrible Towel. The Steelers won the game 38–16.

On December 18, 2016, Bengals running back Jeremy Hill tried ripping a Terrible Towel after scoring a touchdown to give the Bengals a 17–3 lead against the Steelers. Hill had six carries for −1 yards after, while also leaving the field several times with an apparent injury to his knee. [56] The Bengals also blew their lead and lost 24–20 while being shut out in the second half, and were eliminated from playoff contention that day. After attempting to rip the Terrible Towel, Hill finished the 2016 season with 15 carries for 30 yards while missing week 17 with an injury. [57]

On October 29, 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Steelers 20−10 at Acrisure Stadium. During the game, several Jacksonville players took fans’ Terrible Towels, mockingly waved them around, and dropped them. Later that same year, the Jaguars missed the playoffs.

Similar gimmicks

During his coaching career from 1922 to 1964, E. A. Diddle of Western Kentucky University began carrying a red towel with him during the basketball games he coached. Diddle would wave and throw the towel during games, and the concept was adopted by fans of the college. It became an official part of the school logo in 1971. [58] Fans of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins cheered the team by waving the "Horrible Hanky"—white handkerchiefs. However, the handkerchiefs were deemed "too dainty" for football, and the tradition faded. [8] "Hate the Yankees Hankies", in reference to the franchise's rivalry with the New York Yankees, were handkerchiefs distributed to Cleveland Indians fans in September 1977 in a promotion.

The Terrible Towel is traditionally known as the first "rally towel"; [3] its popularity has spawned similar traditions for other teams. Fans of the Minnesota Twins cheer the team with the "Homer Hanky" during the playoffs. [3] The Philadelphia Phillies have distributed white towels to fans during home games. [3] [41] During a 2006 playoff game against the Steelers, the Indianapolis Colts handed out blue towels to rally fans, however, Pittsburgh went on to win the game. [3] In a 2000 preseason game, played in Mexico City, many fans that filled the 100,000 seat Aztec Stadium waved towels. Cope, glad that the Allegheny Valley School would receive a sizable donation from the proceeds, was later disappointed to learn the towels waved by the fans were "knockoffs" made by local artists, and therefore no proceeds would go to the school. [2] In 2008, the NFL approved a white towel entitled the Trophy Towel, which will be sold to fans and given to the winning team of Super Bowl XLIII. Members of the Steelers criticized the idea, broadcaster Bill Hillgrove—who worked with Cope—called the idea "a cheap imitation". [59] Steelers player Aaron Smith stated, "It started here, so why would anyone else want to have a towel? Why not kazoos?" [59] During the 2010 Memorial Cup the host committee made up 8,000 yellow towels to represent the host team, the Brandon Wheat Kings, who played the Moncton Wildcats. Many fans brought the towels back for games after that.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "What people are saying ... about Myron Cope's passing". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . 2008-02-28. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  2. 1 2 3 Cope 2002, p. 142.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Amen, Rob (2007-10-26). "Terrible Towel copycats". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review . Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cope 2002, p. 143.
  5. ↑ Eskenazi, Gerald (1995-01-11). "CHAMPIONSHIPS; The Steelers' Towel Is Not for Crying". The New York Times . Sports. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Cope 2002, p. 144.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Cope 2002, p. 145.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Cope 2002, p.146.
  9. ↑ Cope 2002, p. 147.
  10. ↑ Myron Cope. Myron Cope – Voice of the City (DVD). Pittsburgh: NFL Films. Event occurs at 4:54.
  11. ↑ "The Terrible Towel and Terrible Stuff". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2009-01-29. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  12. ↑ "The Terrible Towel". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  13. ↑ "Logo Towel". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  14. ↑ "Woven Terrible Towel". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-27. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  15. ↑ "The Black Terrible Towel". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  16. ↑ "Super Bowl XL Champions Terrible Towel (With Scores)". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-18. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  17. ↑ "Five Time Champions Terrible Towel". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-08. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  18. ↑ "75th Season Terrible Towel". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-08. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
  19. ↑ Official site of the Pittsburgh Steelers – Product Display: Vintage Terrible Towel Archived 2010-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  20. 1 2 3 4 Kimberly, Powell; Albrecht Powell. "The Terrible Towel". About.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  21. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Archived 2020-10-03 at the Wayback Machine , 1979-12-27, page 18.
  22. ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Archived 2020-10-03 at the Wayback Machine , 1979-07-30, page 3.
  23. ↑ "Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel™ | Steelers® Official Pro Shop". Archived from the original on 2021-01-11. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  24. ↑ "Myron Cope and The Terrible Towel". Allegheny Valley School. Archived from the original on 2008-05-11. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  25. ↑ Scott, Fybush. "NorthEast Radio Watch". NorthEast Radio Watch. Archived from the original on 2019-06-30. Retrieved 2008-06-09.
  26. ↑ "The Terrible Towel® | Merakey Allegheny Valley School (USA)". Archived from the original on 2020-11-10. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  27. ↑ "Steelers fans stockpile Terrible Towels for Super Bowl". ESPN.com . Associated Press. 2006-01-31. Archived from the original on 2012-11-06. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  28. 1 2 Gigler, Dan (2008-02-28). "Memorializing Myron". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  29. ↑ Cope 2002, p. 141.
  30. ↑ Ganster, Kathleen (2008-05-15). "Mount Everest climber credits teamwork". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on 2008-05-27. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  31. ↑ Gigler, Dan (2008-02-28). "We get pictures..." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on 2008-06-19. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  32. ↑ Varley, Teresa. "Steelers fans show support at Olympics". Steelers.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-23. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  33. ↑ "The Terrible Towel". www.steelers.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
  34. ↑ Commander Mike Fincke Cheers Steelers. International Space Station: NASA. 2009-02-17.
  35. ↑ Pittsburgh Native Waves Terrible Towel from Outer Space (Television production). Pittsburgh and International Space Station: WPXI. 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
  36. ↑ Marquardt, Alexander (2008-04-28). "Hillary Clinton takes a swing at sports metaphors". CNN. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  37. ↑ "G-20 Dignitaries' Gift Bags Include Terrible Towels – WTAE-TV". thepittsburghchannel.com. Archived from the original on 2010-12-25.
  38. ↑ "Wiz Khalifa Wants 'Black And Yellow' To Be Steelers' Anthem". MTV. October 11, 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-01-09. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
  39. 1 2 "Former Steelers broadcaster, Terrible Towel creator Cope dies". ESPN. Associated Press. 2008-02-28. Archived from the original on 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  40. ↑ Dvorchak, Robert (2005-11-01). "Cope officially throws in towel". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  41. 1 2 Dvorchak, Robert (2008-02-28). "Cope's own epitaph? 'Creator of Towel Dead'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on 2008-07-04. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  42. ↑ Goldstein, Richard (2008-02-29). "Myron Cope, 79, Writer and Steelers Broadcaster, Is Dead". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  43. ↑ Balingit, Moriah (2008-03-01). "Cope fans say 'Bye, now' in towel-twirling tribute". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on 2008-05-04. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  44. ↑ Owen, Rob (2008-03-02). "Tuned In Journal: Clinton, Cope surprise on 'SNL'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Archived from the original on 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  45. 1 2 Anderson, Dave (1995-01-08). "Sports of The Times; The 'Terrible Towel' Waves Once Again". The New York Times . Archived from the original on 2021-11-09. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  46. 1 2 "Cardinals make the Terrible mistake of dissing the Towel". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. January 27, 2009. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
  47. ↑ "Postseason 2005". Schedules. NFL.com. February 5, 2006. Archived from the original on March 7, 2009. Retrieved February 28, 2009.
  48. ↑ Brown, Scott (January 19, 2009). "Steelers are Super Bowl bound". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved January 28, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  49. 1 2 Bouchette, Ed (December 22, 2008). "Steelers Notebook: Sacks record doesn't ease sting of loss: Trampling the Terrible Towel". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
  50. ↑ "Fisher explains Terrible Towel stomp". ESPN.com. 22 December 2008. Archived from the original on 20 August 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  51. ↑ Archived 2010-01-29 at the Wayback Machine Colts' Terrific Towel Debut
  52. ↑ Fox, Ashley (November 19, 2012). "Ravens tipping scales vs. Steelers". ESPN.com . Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  53. ↑ Archived 2014-11-29 at the Wayback Machine No Disrespect Intended
  54. ↑ Archived 2018-03-24 at the Wayback Machine Why Joe Flacco is clutch when the pressure is the greatest
  55. ↑ "Jaguars apologize for mascot's sign". ESPN.com . October 6, 2014. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 7, 2014.
  56. ↑ "Steelers to Bengals' Jeremy Hill: Careful with the curse of the Terrible Towel". ESPN.com . December 18, 2016. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
  57. ↑ "Jeremy Hill". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  58. ↑ "The Red Towel". Western Kentucky University. Archived from the original on January 24, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
  59. 1 2 Biertempfel, Rob (January 9, 2009). "Terrible! NFL 'Trophy Towel' plays off 'Burgh original". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Archived from the original on January 17, 2009. Retrieved January 9, 2009.

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The Immaculate Reception is one of the most famous plays in the history of American gridiron football. It was a walk-off touchdown which occurred in the AFC divisional playoff game of the National Football League (NFL), between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on December 23, 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myron Cope</span> American sports journalist (1929–2008)

Myron Sidney Kopelman, known professionally as Myron Cope, was an American sports journalist, radio personality, and sportscaster. He is best known for being "the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers".

Kordell Stewart is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nicknamed "Slash", he played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes and achieved recognition as a senior for the "Miracle at Michigan", a Hail Mary pass he completed to defeat the Michigan Wolverines. He was selected by the Steelers in the second round of the 1995 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Byron Leftwich</span> American football coach and former player (born 1980)

Byron Antron Leftwich is an American former professional football quarterback and coach who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Marshall Thundering Herd, twice receiving MAC Most Valuable Player honors, and was selected seventh overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2003 NFL draft. Leftwich held a starting role with the Jaguars during his first four seasons and spent the remainder of his career as a backup for the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the Steelers, he was a member of the team that won Super Bowl XLIII.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Reed (American football)</span> American football player (born 1979)

Jeffrey Montgomery Reed is an American former professional football placekicker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2002 until 2010, and is third all-time behind Gary Anderson and Chris Boswell for the most points scored by a Steeler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Super Bowl Shuffle</span> Song and music video performed by the 1985 Chicago Bears

"The Super Bowl Shuffle" is a song performed by the Chicago Bears football team in 1985. It was released in December 1985 on Chicago-based Red Label Records and distributed through Capitol Records seven weeks ahead of their win in Super Bowl XX. The song peaked at number 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steeler Nation</span> Term for fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Steeler Nation is an official name for the fan base of the National Football League's Pittsburgh Steelers. The term was coined by NFL Films narrator John Facenda in the team's 1978 highlights film. Steelers Country is often used for the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area where the fan base originates or for areas with a large Steelers fan base.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are an American football franchise representing Pittsburgh. They are the seventh-oldest club in the National Football League (NFL), which they joined in 1933. The only surviving NFL teams with a longer history are the Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders. The Philadelphia Eagles joined the league concurrently with the Steelers in 1933.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Tomlin</span> American football coach (born 1972)

Michael Pettaway Tomlin is an American professional football coach who is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League (NFL). Since joining the Steelers in 2007, he has led the team to 11 playoff appearances, seven division titles, three AFC Championship Games, two Super Bowl appearances, and a title in Super Bowl XLIII. At age 36, Tomlin became the youngest head coach to win the Super Bowl, a record which was later broken by Sean McVay in Super Bowl LVI. Tomlin holds the record for most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a coaching career with 18 and has never had a losing season. Only Tom Landry (21) and Bill Belichick (19) have had longer such streaks at any point in their coaching careers. Upon Belichick's departure from the New England Patriots following the 2023 season, Tomlin became the NFL's longest-tenured active head coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sports in Pittsburgh</span>

Sports in Pittsburgh have been played dating back to the American Civil War. Baseball, hockey, and the first professional American football game had been played in the city by 1892. Pittsburgh was first known as the "City of Champions" when the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Panthers football team, and Pittsburgh Steelers won multiple championships in the 1970s. Today, the city has three major professional sports franchises, the Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins; while the University of Pittsburgh Panthers compete in a Division I Power Five conference, the highest level of collegiate athletics in the United States, in both football and basketball. Local universities Duquesne and Robert Morris also field Division I teams in men's and women's basketball and Division I FCS teams in football. Robert Morris also fields Division I men's and women's ice hockey teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Towel Power</span> Vancouver Canucks hockey fan tradition

Towel Power is a term used by the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) to describe the waving of rally towels by their fans. The tradition started in the 1982 Campbell Conference Finals when Vancouver played the Chicago Blackhawks. During game two of the series, head coach Roger Neilson waved a white towel on the end of a hockey stick in a mock surrender after being upset with the officiating. Neilson was ejected and the Canucks lost 4–1. When Vancouver returned home from Chicago for the following game fans supported both Neilson and the Canucks by waving towels first at the airport when the team arrived and then during the next game. The Canucks won the next three games and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals where they were defeated by the New York Islanders. As part of the tradition, the Canucks hand out towels prior to playoff games for fans to help support the team.

The Green Weenie was a sports gimmick in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, co-created by Bob Prince (1916–1985), the broadcaster for the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and Pirate trainer Danny Whelan. It was most popular during the 1966 season. The Green Weenie was manufactured by Tri-State Plastics, a Pittsburgh plastic thermoforming company between 1967 and 1974 and during the 1989 season.

The 2008 NFL season was the 89th regular season of the National Football League (NFL), themed with the slogan "Believe in Now."

The 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 72nd season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League. It would be the first season the franchise would have under quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He would play 18 seasons as a Steeler, a franchise record.

The 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 76th season in the National Football League (NFL). The season concluded with the team winning Super Bowl XLIII to become the first franchise in the NFL with six Super Bowl titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rally towel</span> Promotional towels

A rally towel is a sports paraphernalia item and a type of towel often used as a fan symbol in American and Canadian sports events. The prototype of the modern rally towel was created in 1975 by former Pittsburgh Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope and is known as the Terrible Towel. Although, it could be argued the great coach E.A Diddle of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers truly created the rally towel in the 1940s. Western Kentucky would also trademark the term "The Red Towel" in 1971; 4 years before Myron Cope created the Pittsburgh Steelers "terrible towel".

Curtis John Dvorak was primarily known as Jaxson de Ville, official mascot of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team. He was the first person to portray the Jaguars mascot in the team's history and had the title, Vice President of Mascot Relations. Curtis retired from serving as Jaxson de Ville on June 23, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steelers–Titans rivalry</span> National Football League rivalry

The Steelers–Titans rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Tennessee Titans that dates back to the 1970s when the Steelers and then-Houston Oilers played in the AFC Central. The two teams were realigned into separate divisions for the 2002 NFL season, however, matchups are still considered heated between the two teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 AFC Divisional playoff game (Pittsburgh–Indianapolis)</span> Notable NFL playoff game

The 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers–Indianapolis Colts playoff game was a National Football League (NFL) Divisional Round playoff game between the sixth-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers and the top-seeded Indianapolis Colts, taking place during the 2005–06 NFL playoffs at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana on January 15, 2006.

References

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