The Steelers Radio Broadcast team has been set for the 2021 season

In a lot of ways, fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers have been pretty spoiled. Between six Super Bowl championships, one family owning the team throughout its entire existence, and only three head coaches since 1969, there are many extra perks to being a part of Steelers’ Nation.

Another added bonus of being a follower of the Steelers is for fans who are unable to watch games on television or at the stadium and instead tune in for the radio broadcast. With former greats such as Jack Fleming and Myron Cope as part of the broadcast, the Steelers have always had a fantastic team describing the action over the airways in order to paint the visual picture of what is happening on the field.

Ever since the retirement of Fleming in 1994, Bill Hillgrove has been the play-by-play announcer for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Joining the team of Hillgrove and Cope in 1998 was former Steelers Pro Bowl tackle Tunch Ilkin. Since Myron Cope’s retirement in 2004, it has been Hillgrove and Ilkin in the booth with Ilkin’s former teammate Craig Wolfley as the sideline reporter.

last October, Ilkin announced he had been diagnosed with ALS. In June, Ilkin made another announcement that he was retiring from the broadcast booth in order to spend more time dedicated to his treatment.

It is safe to say that all of Steelers’ Nation and beyond wish Tunch Ilkin the very best in his battle with ALS and his future endeavors.

With the Steelers having their first preseason game this week, it has been announced who the Steelers radio broadcast team will be for the 2021 season. Stepping into Ilkins shoes in the booth will be his great friend Craig Wolfley as he makes the move from the sideline to above the field alongside Bill Hillgrove. Taking over Wolfley’s sideline duties will be former Steelers tackle Max Starks.

Max Starks had a 10-year NFL career with nine of those years being in Pittsburgh. The Steelers third-round draft pick in 2004, Starks was from the same draft class as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Starks appeared in over 130 games in Pittsburgh including the postseason and is a two-time Super Bowl champion.

Since his retirement from the NFL in 2015, Starks has found his way into the broadcasting world as he was a sideline reporter for Westwood One radio as part of their NFL coverage.

Additionally, Starks will be replacing Tunch Ilkin as the new co-host with Craig Wolfley for the show “In The Locker Room” on ESPN 970 and Steelers Nation Radio. “In The Locker Room” is on from 10 AM to 12 PM Monday through Friday during the Steelers season.

Stay tuned to Behind The Steel Curtain for breaking news, training camp updates, and all things Pittsburgh Steelers as they prepare for the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday.