Steelers to Honor Holmes, White and Cope Prior to Sunday’s Kickoff

Steelers to Honor Holmes, White and Cope Prior to Sunday’s Kickoff

Fans are Asked to Arrive Early, Bring Terrible Towels


Three members of the Steelers family who passed away this year will be honored during a special pre-game ceremony prior to the Steelers’ season opener this Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Houston Texans. Kickoff for the game is at 1 p.m. at Heinz Field.

The Steelers will honor former defensive linemen Ernie Holmes and Dwight White, and former broadcaster Myron Cope with a video tribute to their careers, followed by a moment of silence and an organized Terrible Towel™ hold prior to the national anthem.

The Steelers are asking fans to arrive early to participate in the ceremony.

Holmes and White made up one-half of the famed Steel Curtain defensive line. Holmes, nicknamed “Fats” and known for shaving an arrowhead into his hair, was a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers who played with the team from 1972-77. He was one of the most physically dominating players of his era.

White, who earned the nickname “Mad Dog” for his style of play that belied his fun-loving nature, played with the Steelers from 1971-80, and was a starter on four Super Bowl championship teams. White scored the first points in Steelers Super Bowl history when he recorded a safety in Super Bowl IX, despite leaving the hospital that morning while battling pneumonia.

Cope was the Steelers’ radio color analyst for 35 years (1970-2004) before his retirement. The inventor of the Terrible Towel™ in 1975, Cope was also famous for making the phrase “Immaculate Reception” a household term. He became the first pro football announcer to be inducted in to the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2005.

Talking Steelers Football with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl grew up on Pittsburgh’s North Side and was a Steelers fan from the get-go.

Ravenstahl, who took over as Mayor in 2006 following the death of Mayor Bob O’Connor, was then elected to the office in November, 2007. At 28-years old he is the youngest mayor of any major U.S. city.

He has a passion for the city he serves and knows that the Steelers are a big part of that city.

Ravenstahl took time out recently to talk with Teresa Varley for Talking Steelers Football

How old were you when you got your first taste of Steelers football?
I can remember as far back as grade school when I started playing football. I followed the Steelers then. From that point forward I was a Steelers fan for life. It’s really hard to explain the devotion Steelers fans have. We understand it as Pittsburghers. It’s in your blood. If you grow up here you have no choice but to be a Steelers fan.

Did you have a favorite player growing up?
I didn’t. It’s hard for me to put my finger on one player. In my early teens when I really started to get to know about the Steelers it wasn’t their best of times. If there was anybody, Coach (Bill) Cowher when he became the coach was somebody who started to right the ship. From there we have been successful ever since. My first days following the Steelers were in the late 80s and early 90s when they weren’t winning like they are today. The Coach Cowher era is really what I would relate to as the beginning of my love for the Steelers.

When you hear the name Steelers, what is the first thought that comes to mind?
The Rooney Family.

Is there a current player you enjoy watching, a player who you respect the way they play the game?
Hines Ward is somebody whose attitude is synonymous with Pittsburgh. He has the passion and desire to do everything it takes to win and does it every Sunday. At the same time we all know that Hines Ward smile. We know he is having a great time. His approach to the game is one I appreciate the most of any Steelers player.

What has head coach Mike Tomlin meant to this team?
He has meant a breath of fresh of air. Being a young coach is something that is important for the players to relate to. Myself as a younger mayor I appreciate some of the things he has to go through as a young head coach. In his first year he showed he was able to bring the pride back to the Steelers and bring the energy to the sidelines.

What are your expectations for the 2008 season for the team?
My expectations are a hard working team that goes out and competes every Sunday. There are some questions marks because of the changes that were made in the offseason. I am confident Coach Tomlin will have the team ready. We should expect to at least make the playoffs this year and who knows what will happen from there.

What do the Steelers mean to city from a business standpoint?
It’s hard to put your finger on what that means. From my limited experience dealing with people from other cities and countries … for example I was in Europe earlier this year and you mention Pittsburgh and the first thing people identify with are the Steelers. If there is anything people from outside of the area identify with a lot of times it is the Steelers. That has a remarkable impact on our economy and really the image of Pittsburgh and what it means to be from this city.

What does the team mean to the Pittsburgh community?
That is one of the main reasons the city has the love for the Steelers they do. On any given week they can see the Steelers, whether it’s at a charity event, they are signing autographs to raise money for a good cause, or at a fund-raiser they are participating in. The visibility of the organization, and particularly the players, has allowed the Steelers to be viewed so highly in the minds of so many in the community. I think it’s been critically important to the success the organization has realized.

If you had to select one current Steelers player to be your Chief of Staff, who would it be?
I am going to say Heath Miller. He seems like an even-keeled kind of guy, he is extremely intelligent and he would fit the role.

What current Steelers player do you think would be good handling public relations for the city?
Let’s go with Max Starks. He is a great communicator from what I have seen in his experience with the media. His ability to communicate a message on behalf of Pittsburgh would fit the role.


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