As Playoff Game Looms, Steelers Fans Celebrate Terrible Towel's 50th Anniversary

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Steelers are playing their first home playoff game in front of a crowd since 2017 on Monday. But as the excitement builds for their battle against the Houston Texans, fans also will mark a momentous event in franchise history.

It's the 50th anniversary of the Terrible Towel.

The Terrible Towel was created by legendary Pittsburgh Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope in 1975. He urged fans to wave yellow dish towels during a playoff game against the Baltimore Colts to boost energy, which led to a victory and started a beloved tradition for Steelers Nation.

Cope later gifted the trademark to Merakey Allegheny Valley School, a nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities, with royalties from towel sales benefiting the school, turning a fan gimmick into a powerful charitable force.

Since 1996, Merakey AVS has realized over $9.5 million from officially licensed The Terrible Towel products. The funds that Merakey AVS receives from The Terrible Towel are used to cover costs such as equipment, program development and renovations to facilities.

“Fifty years ago, the Terrible Towel was created by the legendary sports broadcaster Myron Cope for the playoffs and quickly became not only a rallying symbol of Steelers Nation but one of the most recognized traditions in the world of sports,” said Ryan Huzjak, Steelers Senior Vice President of Business Operations. “

As the Steelers head into the playoffs, and on the occasion of the Terrible Towel’s milestone anniversary, it is only fitting that we unite fans by bringing this iconic symbol to life with activations across Pittsburgh and beyond.”

Recognizing that Steelers Nation represents the Black and Gold around the globe, the team is urging fans to show support for the Steelers from wherever they are around the world on social media by posting videos of themselves twirling their Terrible Towels.

Fans are encouraged to post their Towel Twirl videos on X, Instagram, TikTok, and/or Facebook. Fans are also encouraged to tag the Steelers and Steelers Nation Unite social media accounts and indicate the city from which they are showing their Steelers support in the post’s caption. The Steelers and Steelers Nation Unite social media accounts will share posts made by fans throughout the week.

Alternatively, Towel Twirl videos can be submitted through Steelers.com. To submit via Steelers.com, visit here, fill out your information, under “Category” dropdown select “Terrible Towel Twirl,” then upload your content and submit.