Any true fan of the game, any game, has their announcer. Every time I see Joey Galloway make a catch for the Bucs, all I can hear is Keith Jackson saying , " Whoaaa Nelllyyy!!"  And how many times as a kid did I throw the football in the air and while making a spectacular slow motion catch, the voice of Harry Kalas called my every move. Yes, announcers are the often unseen personalities that make up our inner soul as sports fans.

 It is often the poor mans part of the game. Taken for granted like the next day for almost all who follow sports. Then, from time to time we are reminded of their greatness. Living in L.A and chasing “the dream", I have run in to tons of celebrities, A- list to D- list. But, it wasn't until I shook hands and had a one on one conversation with Vin Scully that my knees truly buckled.

 Sadly, we are also reminded of greatness through tragedy. The passing of Myron Cope made me reflect on a man that was and is, like Scully, Halas and Jackson, great.

 Growing up an hour outside of the “Steel City", and loving sports, it was not long until I was introduced to a mania known as Pittsburgh Steelers football. Along with the introduction, also came the raspy voice that captivated me as even as a kid. The hour drive from St. Clairsville, Ohio to Three Rivers Stadium always seemed a little bit shorter when my Grandpa would turn the radio on and a voice that sounded like arguing static would fill the car. What was this guy yelling about?

 The funny thing was, it didn't matter what he was yelling, it was Myron Cope. All announcers have their catch phrases. That quirk or slur that makes them famous. Some are even known for their amazing broadcast skills. Not Myron. He was known mainly for a language that I can only label as pure Pittsburghese. I can hear it in my head like it was only yesterday. “Da bus just ran dahn er tru dat hole and he, he and Seau missed at tackle. Bus's legs were movin dahn hill on at one boy I tell you, Picksburgh 27, da San Dieg'O Chargers 3." Mozart had his symphonies. Myron Cope had his Pittsburgh Steelers.

 It may not have been pretty, but it was as Pittsburgh as the steel that city was founded on.  And the true fan respected it, what ever "it" was. My friend’s dad, who was a season ticket holder since 72', would attend the games with his Steelers beanie and head phones. Like so many, he preferred his live Steelers experience be narrated by Myron. Those who were not lucky enough to attend would turn the television volume on mute and the radio on high. A Steelers game just meant so much more when Myron was telling the story.

To any person not in the general Pittsburgh area, you also know Myron Cope, or at least his creation.  Any towel waving of any color at any sporting event is a direct rip off of  Myron Cope's "The Terrible Towel."   The rally piece of choice for any Steelers fan. Those puke yellow ribbons of rally inspired the towel waving from New York to Los Angeles, from hockey to soccer. Yes sir, it was all started by one man, Myron Cope.

  Any true sports fans should look up and listen to his work. Yes, listening to records being scratched would be similar, but it is true history, sports history. He didn't have the look or the voice, he had more. He was the signature of an area defined by their hard work, not their dialect. Imagine a Cardinals game with out Joe Buck, a Dodger game with out Scully. It is a difficult task. And in Pittsburgh and to Steelers fans abroad, they are battling that task tonight. The Steelers with out Myron Cope. I toast a beer to you Myron. “First Dahn en ten Picksburgh, da Stillar's are ona roll!"

Thanks for telling me the story through a different point-of-view on Sundays.

And That Is The Inside Dirt