Marky Billson
Contributor I

Marky Billson

Syndicated Writer
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About

Much of my bio can be explained here-

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/177763-what-makes-a-steelers-fan-makes-a-good-steelers-reporter

Other than that, I choose to keep a low profile. I am very proud of the five years I spent as a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and adore the rock group AC/DC.

Short List

  • Favorite Athletes

    Willie Stargell, Mario Lemieux, Terry Bradshaw, Dan Marino. Those are my all time favorite Pittsburgh athletes- one for each team. My favorite Cleveland Indian is Duane Kuiper, my favorite USC Gamecock Steve Taneyhill, but let's not get into that. And yes, this list dates me.

  • Favorite Sports Teams

    It is said that a good journalist should not be a fan of any team. I am an unabashed fan of all Pittsburgh teams as well as the Cleveland Indians, South Carolina Gamecocks football and baseball, and I love to criticize the East Tennessee State athletic department ever since they dropped football. And though I am not a pro wrestling fan per se and am not sure it should be mentioned under "sports," I love Rowdy Roddy Piper.

  • Favorite Coaches

    Chuck Tanner. Chuck Noll. Jerry Manuel. John Robert Bell. Tim Horgan. Jim Valvano. And anyone I've ever covered!

  • All Time Sports Moment

    Either working as a sideline reporter for Pitt football at old Pitt Stadium or hosting a sports talk show on WTAE like Cope and Savran did.

  • Most Memorable Game Attended

    1995 AFC Championship Game. And high fiving Dermontti Dawson coming out of Three Rivers Stadium after it was all over.

  • Most Unbreakable Sports Record

    Cy Young throwing 749 complete games.

  • Ruth or Mays?

    Ruth. He pitched.

  • Unitas or Montana?

    I'll go Johnny U- simply because he had more arm strength.

  • Jordan or Russell?

    Jordan. I told someone in his rookie year he'd be the best ever and he didn't disapoint.

  • Gretzky or Orr?

    Neither. It's Lemieux.

  • Pele or Maradona?

    Pele. He made Pepsi ads.

  • Federer or Sampras?

    When they can say they've called in to Myron Cope's radio show like Vitas Gerulaitis could say, we can talk.

  • Tiger or Nicklaus?

    Neither. It's Palmer.

  • Petty or Earnhardt?

    Earnhardt. He drove a Chevy.

  • Schumacher or Senna?

    Who are these people?

  • ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12 or SEC?

    SEC- though I can't stand the presumptiousness of their fans.

Bulletin Board

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  • Tim SteelersFan posted 921 days ago

    Tim SteelersFan

    Much has been written about the Steelers, the 1970s, and their use of steroids. The current public perception is the Steelers began and glamorized the use of roids in the 70s. Read my article to find out who one man, with 4 NFL teams, spread the use of steroids throughout the NFL, beginning in 1963, and see just how pervasive roid usage was by the time the Steelers began their decade of dominance.

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/232404-the-steelers-steroids-and-profound-misconceptions

  • Jonathan Cyprowski posted 923 days ago

    Jonathan Cyprowski

    Hey Marky,

    I just posted a new article on a long shot guy finally getting his shot with the Steelers. I was hoping to get you to take a look at it. Let me know what you think.

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/231963-a-long-shot-getting-his-shot

  • Graham posted 924 days ago

    Graham

    Thanks for the advice!

    Here's pt. 2 of a Bill Russell series my buddy Leroy and I have been working diligently on. Hope you enjoy it!

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/231667-the-man-behind-the-rings-the-story-of-bill-russell-pt-2

  • Marky Billson posted 925 days ago

    Marky Billson

    Yes, Graham. I have been in every press box (or press row) in Pittsburgh and many beyond. But while it is nice, remember, good journalism or coverage should come from wherever you are. The press box doesn't make you- the story does- no matter what the subject.

    But thanks for the kind note!

  • Graham posted 935 days ago

    Graham

    Wow Pittsburgh Post-Gazette! What was it like having press passes and being a respected journalist?

  • Thaddeus Yeiser posted 964 days ago

    Thaddeus Yeiser

    Hey,
    In the down time before training camp I thought this could be a refreshing article for NFL fans.
    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/207742-if-nfl-players-were-superheroes

  • Lee Heisler posted 983 days ago

    Lee Heisler

    Hey, if you have time check out my new article. It lists my favorite Steelers by each individual number.

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/195020-my-favorite-steelers-by-jersey-number