Tunch Ilkin: “I got to work with a living legend in Myron Cope – he was the funniest guy in broadcasting.”
John Buccigross: “Pittsburgh was a great market for a young kid like me dreaming of becoming a broadcaster. The personalities of Bob Prince And Myron Cope; understanding it’s entertainment and fun first. “
Bill Hillgrove: “Myron Cope would not have fun now. They aren’t allowed to be characters. I liked it when the wackos could be wackos. But I do understand. There’s too much money now and it’s had a profound effect on how they can act.
I remember when I roomed with him, he would work forever in the first word of his sentences, getting up and walking around the room, looking for the right word. He would tell me that the difference between the right word and the ok one was the difference between lightening and lightning bug. That always stuck with me.”
Author Jim O’Brien: “By the way, I met Myron Cope for the first time when I was fourteen and serving as the sports editor of The Hazelwood Envoy. We were both covering the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament at the Pitt Field House.
I asked him, “Mr. Cope, what do I have to do to become a writer?” He replied, in that wonderfully unique voice of his, “Kid, you gotta sit down and start writing!” It’s still the best advice I ever received.”
Gerry Mullins: “You were one of the guys we trusted. We could talk to guys like you and Myron Cope and we knew you weren’t going to throw us under the bus. I’d tell Myron something and he’d say ‘a little bird told me’ when he’d use the item on his show. You guys weren’t out to hurt us. That wasn’t true with some of the media.”
Garry Howe: “Stumpy was the nickname given to me by Myron Cope. I was the blocking back for Barry Foster.”
Dorothy Hunter Gordon, Chief Development Officer at NHS Allegheny Valley School, on the History of the Terrible Towel: “In 1996, Myron Cope, a long-time friend to AVS, walked into former President and CEO Regis Champ’s office and said, “Rege, I’ve got a gift for the school.” He then handed over documents that gave the ownership of The Terrible Towel trademark to AVS.”
Terry Hanratty: “So that week we have a phone call for the radio – me, Myron Cope and Lambert. Myron asked what we had in store for the Steelers – I told Jack we had a special plan – 10 special quarterback sneaks so I could run right at Jack. Jack laughed at that one.”
Lionel Taylor: “I also remember Myron Cope once came in and asked me if we had a Jewish football player. I was like, what? I didn’t know Randy Grossman was Jewish.”
Tim Simpson:” Justin Strelczyk and I just had fun together going out on the strip. And watching him bum cigarettes off of Myron Cope was always fun.”
Jim O’Brien: “Pittsburgh broadcaster Myron Cope used to conduct “dress-offs” in the Steelers locker room between Greenwood and John “Frenchy” Fuqua, famous for his involvement with Franco Harris in “The Immaculate Reception” and for donning capes and having goldfish in the heels of his shoes.”
Garry Howe: “Stumpy was the nickname given to me by Myron Cope. “
Bob Adams: “Andy Russell’s wife held a party for Andy in their home. Most of the players were there, some brought presents. When it was time to open the gifts, we went into the family room. There was one larger then usual present sitting on the floor. Andy did not choose that right away, he opened several gifts and then said, well I have to see what’s in there, and proceeded to take the bow and wrapping paper off. He unfolded the top of the box and to everyone’s surprise, particularly Andy’s none other than Myron Cope jumps up out of the box yelling, “happy birthday Andy!!” The room went wild with laughter and Andy was all smiles and very please with the caper. Myron and Andy were very close. It made the party and I’m sure tickled Andy to no end.”
Ron Tepper: “He didn’t use his status to influence anything for himself. For his radio show he had to be overly animated but that was it. He was a great father and did a lot of charity work.”
Rick Strom: “When I was visiting with the Steelers after the draft, Myron Cope stopped in QB Coach Tom Moore’s office to tell me that after he saw me play in that All-Star game, he “told the Steeler’s brass they should look at you”.