Myron Cope

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the most annoying fan bases in the NFL, and it's not just because their team is always semi-competent while our favorite ones spend years wallowing in misery. It's because of those stupid towels they wave!

No, these are not Vince Shlomi's ShamWows, although they definitely look like ShamWows, colored bright yellow as if soaked in urine. These are the so-called Terrible Towels. As if! What exactly makes them so terrible?

As it turns out, the towels were the brainchild of Myron Cope, who was a sportswriter before becoming the radio voice of the Steelers from 1970 to 2004. Born Kopelman, Cope was the first pro football announcer to make the Radio Hall of Fame and was named one of the greatest Pittsburghers of all time, coming in at #39. (#1: Fred Rogers. #5: Jonas Salk. #44: Michael Chabon.) But his biggest legacy might just be that ever-present irritating towel, which he came up with in 1975.

In fact, all official Terrible Towels say "Myron Cope's Official" across their top. So, during a game, some 60,000 Steelers fans are waving a Jew's name.

Doesn't make them any less annoying...