company that provides athletic training and program material to coaches and players. Ilkin also co-authored two books during his broadcasting career: In the Locker Room, and Forged In Steel. Ilkin was an active supporter of the nonprofit organization Light of Life Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter and addiction recovery ministry on Pittsburgh's North Side for over 30 years. Personal life Ilkin was married on April 24, 1982, to Sharon Senefeld, and they had three children: Tanner, Natalie, and Clay. The Ilkins resided in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. On February 6, 2012, his wife Sharon died following a lengthy battle with cancer. In 2013, he married Karen Rafferty. A convert from Islam to Christianity, Ilkin was the pastor of Men's Ministry for The Bible Chapel, a multi-site church in South Hills, Pittsburgh. During a November 2013 visit to Turkey, he took part in activities of the Istanbul Cavaliers, and was interviewed by the sports newspaper Fanatik. Ilkin said in that interview that he would have liked to coach an American football team in Turkey. On October 9, 2020, Ilkin announced that he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ilkin made the announcement six months before one of his contemporaries, former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Steve McMichael, announced his own ALS diagnosis. The Pittsburgh City Council declared December 21, 2020, as Tunch Ilkin Day in Pittsburgh. On June 3, 2021, Ilkin announced his retirement from broadcasting so he could focus on his treatment. Ilkin died of ALS complications on September 4, 2021, at the age of 63. Following his death, the episode of Pittsburgh Dad did about the Steelers Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills did a "In memory of..." tribute to Ilkin. Publications See also Foreign players in the National Football League References 1957 births 2021 deaths American Conference Pro Bowl players American football offensive linemen Converts to Protestantism from Islam Neurological disease deaths in Pennsylvania Deaths from motor neuron disease Green Bay Packers players Indiana State Sycamores football players Indiana State University alumni National Football League announcers Sportspeople from Chicago Sportspeople from Istanbul Pittsburgh Steelers announcers Pittsburgh Steelers players Players of American football from Pittsburgh Sportspeople from Pittsburgh Turkish Christians Turkish former Muslims Turkish emigrants to the United States Turkish players of American football Players of American football from Chicago