User:Kenyaw/example:test
Widespread recognition[edit]
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."[1] 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.[2] It has become a tradition for Steelers fans to take Terrible Towels on vacation, taking pictures next to well-known tourist destinations.[3] 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.[3][4] Hampton native Kevin Cherilla took his Terrible Towel during his climb to the peak of Mount Everest.[5] Military personnel have taken pictures with the Towel while stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the War on Terrorism.[6] During her campaign for the 2008 Presidential Election, Hillary Clinton received a Terrible Towel during a visit to Pittsburgh.[7] Fans waved Terrible Towels at the gold medal match for Women's beach volleyball at the 2008 Olympic Games.[8] Prior to the 2008 AFC Championship Game the Terrible Towel was displayed on the International Space Station.[9][10]
During the 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit, visiting dignitaries received Terrible Towels in gift bags from the city.[11]
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. [12]
Honoring Cope[edit]
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.[13] 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.[14]
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'".[15] On February 27, 2008, Cope died of respiratory failure in Pittsburgh.[16] The following day, an article from the Associated Press concerning Cope's death was entitled "Former Steelers broadcaster, Terrible Towel creator Cope dies".[13] Upon Cope's death, over 350 fans gathered downtown Pittsburgh in snowy weather for a tribute to the inventor. The ceremony concluded with one minute of silent Towel waving.[17] Days later, Saturday Night Live cast member Seth Meyers waved a Terrible Towel on Saturday Night Live, in tribute to Cope.[18]
Opposition[edit]
"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[19]
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."[20] The Steelers won the game 29–9.[20]
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.[21] 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.[22]
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.[23]
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 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. Shorty after the start of the third quarter, Jaguars mascot Jaxson DeVille 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. The Jaguars went on to lose eight of their remaining eleven games in the season.[citation needed]
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."[24] While Hines Ward said, "[T. J. Houshmandzadeh] did kind of the same thing and you see where they went."[24] 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 (their first game following the 'incident'), their '09 Week 1 game against the Steelers, 13-10. After the Titan's 8th consecutive loss, 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 a Pittsburgh charity. 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.[21] 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.
- ^ Cope 2002, p.143.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Yoi146was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Gigler, Dan (2008-02-28). "Memorializing Myron". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Cope 2002, p.141.
- ^ Ganster, Kathleen (2008-05-15). "Mount Everest climber credits teamwork". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Gigler, Dan (2008-02-28). "We get pictures..." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Marquardt, Alexander (2008-04-28). "Hillary Clinton takes a swing at sports metaphors". CNN. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Varley, Teresa. "Steelers fans show support at Olympics". Steelers.com. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Commander Mike Fincke Cheers Steelers. International Space Station: NASA. 17-02-2009.
{{cite AV media}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Pittsburgh Native Waves Terrible Towel from Outer Space (Television production). Pittsburgh and International Space Station: WPXI. 17-02-2009. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
{{cite AV media}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ G-20 Dignitaries' Gift Bags Include Terrible Towels - WTAE-TV
- ^ "Wiz Khalifa Wants 'Black And Yellow' To Be Steelers' Anthem". MTV. 10-11-2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|accesdate=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Associated Press (2008-02-28). "Former Steelers broadcaster, Terrible Towel creator Cope dies". ESPN. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
- ^ Dvorchak, Robert (2005-11-01). "Cope officially throws in towel". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Epitaphwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Goldstein, Richard (2008-02-29). "Myron Cope, 79, Writer and Steelers Broadcaster, Is Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Balingit, Moriah (2008-03-01). "Cope fans say 'Bye, now' in towel-twirling tribute". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Owen, Rob (2008-03-02). "Tuned In Journal: Clinton, Cope surprise on 'SNL'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Yoi145was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Anderson, Dave (1995-01-08). "Sports of The Times; The 'Terrible Towel' Waves Once Again". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ a b "Cardinals make the Terrible mistake of dissing the Towel". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 27 January 2009. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Postseason 2005". Schedules. NFL.com. 5 February 2006. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
- ^ Brown, Scott (19 January 2009). "Steelers are Super Bowl bound". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 28 January 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b Bouchette, Ed (22 December 2008). "Steelers Notebook: Sacks record doesn't ease sting of loss". Trampling the Terrible Towel. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)