I have always been a fan of Myron Cope. He is to the Steelers, what Bob Prince was to the Pirates.
Like most Steeler fans, I prefer to watch the game on television, but if it is not available, Bill Hillgrove and Myron Cope over the internet is fine by me. Unfortunately, Friday's game versus the Panthers was one of those games where I could do neither.
I am a transplanted Pittsburghian living in Canada, and I was on route to a family reunion in Cleveland while the game was being played. I timed my departure to coincide with reaching the Pa. border at 8:00. I figured that would be my best chance at finding a Steelers affiliate on the A.M. dial. I was going West on interstate 90 through New York, and unfortunately, an accident in front of me changed my plans. After the traffic jam subsided, I frantically pressed the seek button on my radio to find a station carrying the game. I was nearing Erie Pa. when my prayers were answered. It was about 9:00, and the first play I heard was a Kordell Stewart 45 yard touchdown pass to Courtney Hawkins.
I'm not sure where the station was based, but it was not a very good signal. I listened to static more than I listened to Myron. I did get to hear Joey Porter get one of his two sacks, and I did get to hear Cope and Hillgrove argue over whether the Steelers should waste a challenge at the goal line. Bill Cowher agreed with Bill Hillgrove.
That was the extent of my listening to the game. In between the static, I was able to hear about 20 minutes of football. By now, I had finally reached my Cleveland destination. I waited in the car to find out the official ruling. The Steelers won their challenge for the second straight week, but it didn't matter as Carolina scored from the one on the very next play.
I greeted my cousin, then hastily went searching for his remote control. I was sure the game would be televised somewhere amongst his 130 stations. Alas, it was not to be. I realize it is only preseason, but I hate missing any game. It wasn't until the following day that I found out the score. I woke up early, and went to the end of my cousins driveway to fetch the Plain Dealer.
The score was all I found out. In small print at the back of the Sports Section were the words- Carolina 20 Pittsburgh 13. No box score, no game recap, nothing to ease my curiosity. It wasn't until I arrived home today that I was able to log on to the Post Gazette, and the Tribune Review, to quench my thirst for Steeler knowledge.
I guess my point to all of this, is that I like giving my opinions, and viewpoints following a game on firsthand information. Over the course of the next two preseason games, and all of the regular season, I plan to deliver just that. I will be at the opener in Cleveland, thanks to my cousin. I will also attend the Buffalo game. At the moment, those are the only two I will be attending live. The other ones I will watch via satellite. If something happens where I can't watch, I will listen attentively to Myron and Bill.
Unfortunately, this was my first game in 3 years I have missed. I have nothing firsthand to report, and no opinions on how the game seemed to unfold. Fortunately, it was only preseason.
by Steelergil (Aug 24, 99)