Steelers Terrible Towel: The history and meaning behind Pittsburgh’s most iconic symbol

When you think Pittsburgh Steelers, you probably picture legends like Mean Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Jack Lambert, and Troy Polamalu. But there’s one symbol that hits just as fast as a linebacker: the Terrible Towel.

It’s loud. It’s yellow. It’s instantly recognizable. And for many fans, it’s as much a part of game day as “Here We Go.”

What started as a simple fan rally idea has become a worldwide piece of sports culture — and one of the most famous traditions in the NFL. Here’s the history of the Terrible Towel, what it represents, and why it still matters today.

The origin of the Terrible Towel: Myron Cope’s brilliant idea

The Terrible Towel was born in 1975 thanks to longtime Steelers radio broadcaster Myron Cope.

Ahead of a 1975 Steelers playoff game vs. the Baltimore Colts, Cope wanted a way to crank up the energy in the stands — something cheap, simple, and impossible to ignore on TV. His idea: tell fans to bring yellow dish towels and wave them.

It worked. The stadium turned into a sea of gold, the Steelers won 28–10, and that postseason ended with Pittsburgh winning Super Bowl X. A gimmick instantly became a tradition.

From gimmick to tradition: How the Terrible Towel took over Pittsburgh

After that playoff run, the Terrible Towel stuck — and never let go.

Today, the Steelers’ Terrible Towel is a weekly staple at Acrisure Stadium, on the road, and in living rooms everywhere. Fans don’t just wear Steelers colors — they pack the towel like it’s part of the uniform.

It’s also become a Pittsburgh calling card beyond the stadium:

• You’ll spot it in local TV shows and broadcasts tied to the city
• It’s traveled to other stadiums, other countries, and basically anywhere Steelers fans can plant a flag
• It’s even been waved during Steelers playoff games from the International Space Station

The meaning behind the Terrible Towel: More than a rally cloth

Yes, it’s a towel — but it’s not “just” a towel.

For Steelers fans, the Terrible Towel has come to represent:

• Pride in the franchise’s history
• Unity across generations of fans
• Identity for Pittsburgh sports culture
• Energy that turns a big game into a full-on event

And it carries real impact off the field, too. Myron Cope famously gave the rights to “Myron Cope’s Official Terrible Towel” to the Allegheny Valley School, supporting children, adults, and seniors with physical and intellectual disabilities. Over the years, the towel has helped raise millions of dollars for the organization.

Terrible Towel moments that made history

The Terrible Towel has been woven into some of the Steelers’ biggest eras — including special editions created during multiple Super Bowl runs.

From Super Bowl X to later championship seasons, the Terrible Towel became a visual stamp of Steelers football: win, lose, or grind-it-out ugly — wave it anyway.

And Steelers fans have taken the towel far beyond Pittsburgh. Over the years, Terrible Towels have shown up at:

• The Great Wall of China
• Mount Everest
• Vatican City
• Military bases and installations around the world

That’s the power of a simple idea done right: one fan tradition that became global — and still gets louder every time it spins above a crowd.