PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers announced late Tuesday morning that Myron Cope is retiring after 35 years in the broadcast booth.

Cope, the animated commentator who introduced "Yoi!" and "Terrible Towel" to fans' vocabularies, called games on radio for more than three decades.

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Cope has been battling a number of physical ailments. He spoke with a noticeably raspy voice at his farewell news conference Tuesday at the UPMC Sports Performance Complex.

"I wasn't sure of myself, in other words," Cope said. "It was a little tough getting around and I guess it wore on me, so I'm done, folks."

After having throat surgery and beginning a physical therapy program last summer, Cope returned to work in the fall for his 35th season in the broadcast booth.

But Cope said he noticed himself "slipping." Specifically, he often kept quiet on issues of strategy that involved the game clock, allowing partners Bill Hillgrove and Tunch Ilkin to cover for him.

Cope wanted to come back for one more season. He was convinced otherwise by Joe Gordon, a trusted confidant and former Steelers executive, who said that Cope's recent work had been subpar.

"It takes a very special friend to tell you the truth when he knows it's going to hurt," Cope said of Gordon.

For years, Cope was a member of the Channel 4 Action Sports team at WTAE-TV. He had his share of memorable moments during that time, including his parodies of popular music videos and swimming across the Monongahela River after losing a bet.

To recognize the broadcaster's long career, "Myron Cope Night" will be held when the Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 31 at Heinz Field.