Okel Dokel! The Terrible Towel Turns 50

By Paula Green

Few experiences rival attending a Steeler game and seeing a sea of Terrible Towels in the stands. Their energy revs up the crowd. Remarkably, this Pittsburgh icon, once just a "gimmick," turns 50 this month. Let’s take a look back at the towel’s rise to beloved status.

Sportscaster Myron Cope created the towel to boost crowd enthusiasm before a playoff game against the Baltimore Colts. Debuting on December 27, 1975, at Three Rivers Stadium, it quickly became a symbol of Steelers fans' unity and passion. Considered lucky after Pittsburgh's 28-10 victory over the Colts and the Super Bowl X win over Dallas, the towel evolved into a treasured fan emblem.

As enthusiasm grew, the vibrant yellow terry cloth entered the retail market. In December 1978, Gimbel’s department store began selling “The Official Myron Cope Terrible Towel” for $6. The towels sold out quickly, cementing their place as a fan phenomenon.

But the Terrible Towel story doesn’t end with fandom. Cope’s vibrant broadcasting style reflected his deep compassion, especially for his family. His son Danny, who is severely autistic, lives at Merakey Allegheny Valley School, which serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Building on this personal connection and inspired by his son’s needs, Cope took remarkable action. In 1996, he showed his appreciation for the exceptional care Danny received at Merakey Allegheny Valley School. He granted the school the trademark rights to the Terrible Towels and their merchandising, along with millions of dollars in royalties. Through this gift, Cope wanted to ensure the specialized school had the funding needed to keep operating. To date, the school has received approximately $10 million in proceeds from the sale of officially licensed Terrible Towel products. 

With roots in Pittsburgh, the Terrible Towel has traveled to many corners of the globe, making appearances in places far from home. Steeler fans display the towel at away games, twirling it even in rival stadiums. The Towel has journeyed to international landmarks like the Vatican, the Great Wall of China, and the South Pole. It even reached outer space, where Pittsburgh native and astronaut Colonel Mike Fincke waved it from the International Space Station.

The Terrible Towel has appeared in special versions over the years. In October 2009, a pink version was promoted to raise breast cancer awareness. This past October, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Crucial Catch Terrible Towel, which highlights the importance of annual breast cancer screenings. Other themed towels have marked particular causes or events. 

While different versions appear over time, tradition remains central. Bringing the towel to games is a cherished ritual, but one rule matters: never disrespect it! This is where the "curse of the Terrible Towel" enters. Some teams that have mocked or stomped on the towel have experienced losses or missed the playoffs. As the adage says, “What goes around, comes around!”

So, next time you head to a Steeler game, wear plenty of black and gold, have your ticket ready on your phone, and most importantly, bring your Terrible Towel! Twirl your heart out and hope luck is on our side, continuing the spirited tradition that began five decades ago by Myron Cope.

Sources: www.steelers.com/history/terrible-towel/, avs.merakey.org/terrible-towel.html, avs.merakey.org/terrible-towel.html