Ilkin retires
June 3, 2021Former Steelers offensive lineman, Tunch Ilkin, has announced his retirement from the broadcast booth as he continues a fight against ALS (AKA – Lou Gehrig’s Disease). His retirement was announced in a statement through the team. He has been the color commentator for several years. The 63-year old played for Pittsburgh between 1980 and 1992 and joined the broadcasting team in 1998. When Myron Cope retired in 2005, Ilkin took over as the prime analyst.
Ilkin announced his ALS diagnosis last September and was last on the air in January.
In my 31 years at WTAE I worked closely with Myron Cope for 20 of them producing the music tracks for his wacky music videos. From time to time I would show up in the Steelers broadcast booth and a couple times I recorded Tunch at the station. I didn’t know him that well but the way he greeted me you would have thought we were close. This selfless man that did great work for the North Side homeless shelter is a down to earth good person. I just scratch my head and wonder why ALS, bad things happen to good people. I wish him well.
Great story, Mr. Gerson. Thank you for sharing. I’ll keep Tunch and his family in my prayers.