PITTSBURGH -- Myron Cope had a legendary voice and a name synonymous with Pittsburgh.

From the Steelers to the Penguins and the Pirates, Cope celebrated everything black and gold.

Nine months after his death, Cope's daughter Elizabeth spoke to Channel 4 Action News Anchor Sally Wiggin.

It has been a year of losses for the Steeler nation. Before the first regular season game, family members gathered for tributes to the late Dwight White, Ernie Holmes, and Myron Cope.

"When I was watching the game, I felt like I was watching the past. Doesn't make sense, but it was this weird feeling of nostalgia, even though it was the present," Elizabeth Cope said.

But it was the first pre-season game that was the hardest for Cope.

"I actually just sat in my car and cried. I know it was really hard. I couldn't watch in on TV and I didn't want to be at the game either," Cope said.

And then there is the towel. Which is hard to escape and Myron Cope is inextricably woven into its fabric. As Elizabeth Cope watched the Redskins game in Landover, the stands were a sea of Myron Cope's magic.

"Sometimes it is comforting, because I am really proud of him. And it reminds me of everything he accomplished, and it makes me think of him. And other times, it is like having your Achilles heel everywhere," Cope said.

Nine months after Myron Cope's passing, the tributes keep coming.

"He would act like this is too much, or he would be self-deprecating a lot about it. But, I think deep down, I could be wrong, but it would give him joy," Cope said.

And people from around the country now try to connect with her, in the absence of her father

"Everyone always said we were so much alike, we butted heads. Growing up, my mom would say, oh, you're so much like your father," Cope said.

Cope said the gifts and tributes keep coming.

"People from New Mexico would send huge banners that they made and DVDs and songs. Afghans, sometimes send to the school, and the school will send it to me," Cope said.

Allegheny Valley School is where Elizabeth Cope's brother, who is autistic, has lived for years. The school is one of the many organizations saying "thank you" for Myron Cope's generosity next week at Heinz field. Elizabeth Cope said it can be tough standing in for her father at events.

"It is really hard because my presence isn't his. And I feel very inadequate, to the job he did. I know people are hungering for him, just as I am, too," Elizabeth said. "He especially was like a rock, the most dependable person. I always knew he would be there. Hard when you lose your rock."

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix and the Autisim Society of Pittsburgh were two of Myron Cope's favorite charities. The two groups will be hosting a luncheon honoring Cope. For more information visit pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com.

---

Related Links:

• More County News
• Add Us To Your iGoogle Or My Yahoo Page
• Download Our Free Desktop Alert For Breaking News

---