Tunch Ilkin facts for kids
Ilkin in 2009
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| No. 62, 79 | |||||||
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| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | September 23, 1957 Istanbul, Turkey |
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| Died: | September 4, 2021 (aged 63) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 263 lb (119 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Highland Park (IL) | ||||||
| College: | Indiana State | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1980 / Round: 6 / Pick: 165 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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Tunch Ilkin (Turkish: Tunç Ali İlkin; September 23, 1957 – September 4, 2021) was a Turkish-American football player and a sports announcer. He was a talented offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Tunch was chosen for the Pro Bowl two times. He was also the first person from Turkey to play in the National Football League (NFL). After he stopped playing, he became a popular voice for the Steelers. He worked as a TV and radio analyst from 1998 to 2020.
Playing Football
Tunch Ilkin was born in Istanbul, Turkey. When he was two years old, his parents moved to the United States. They settled in the Chicago area. Tunch went to Highland Park High School in Illinois. There, he earned honors for his football skills.
In 1975, he received a special athletic scholarship to Indiana State University. He played football for the Indiana State Sycamores. The Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL Draft.
Ilkin played as an offensive tackle for the Steelers from 1980 to 1992. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 1988 and 1989. This is a special game where the best players from the NFL play against each other. After his time with the Steelers, he played for the Green Bay Packers in 1993. He then retired from playing football. Tunch was also a leader for other players. He served as vice president of the NFL Players' Association from 1989 to 1994. In 2007, he was named to the special Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team.
Broadcasting Career
After his football career, Tunch Ilkin started working in sports broadcasting. He became a commentator and reporter in Pittsburgh. He also worked nationally for NBC during the 1995 NFL season.
In 1998, he joined the official Steelers broadcasting team. He worked with famous announcers Myron Cope and Bill Hillgrove. After Myron Cope retired, Tunch took over the main commentary duties. He worked alongside his former teammate Craig Wolfley. They even had their own morning radio show called In The Locker Room with Tunch and Wolf. This show was very popular with Steelers fans.
Helping Others
Tunch Ilkin was also involved in helping his community. He was a strong supporter of the Light of Life Rescue Mission. This is a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh. It helps people who are homeless and those recovering from addiction. He supported them for over 30 years.
Ilkin also wrote two books during his broadcasting career. They were called In the Locker Room and Forged In Steel.
Personal Life
Tunch Ilkin married Sharon Senefeld in 1982. They had three children named Tanner, Natalie, and Clay. The family lived in Upper St. Clair Township, Pennsylvania. Sadly, Sharon passed away in 2012 after a long illness. In 2013, Tunch married Karen Rafferty.
Tunch was also a pastor for Men's Ministry at The Bible Chapel. This is a church in South Hills, Pittsburgh. He had changed his faith from Islam to Christianity.
In November 2013, Tunch visited Turkey. He took part in activities with the Istanbul Cavaliers, an American football team there. He even said he would have liked to coach a football team in Turkey.
On October 9, 2020, Tunch Ilkin shared some sad news. He announced that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This is a serious illness that affects the nerves and muscles. The Pittsburgh City Council honored him by declaring December 21, 2020, as Tunch Ilkin Day. On June 3, 2021, Tunch announced he was retiring from broadcasting. He wanted to focus on his treatment for ALS. Tunch Ilkin passed away from complications of ALS on September 4, 2021. He was 63 years old. Many people remembered him fondly after his death.
See also
- Foreign players in the National Football League
