Steelers legend Tunch Ilkin diagnosed with ALS

Sad news out of Steeler Nation.

The Pittsburgh Steelers family was dealt a devastating blow this week when former Steelers great Tunch Ilkin announced he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.

Here is an overview of the disease better know as Lou Gherig’s Disease from the Mayo Clinic.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-my-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), or ALS, is a progressive nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control.

ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the baseball player who was diagnosed with it. Doctors usually don’t know why ALS occurs. Some cases are inherited.

ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in a limb, or slurred speech. Eventually, ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease.

Ilkin made the announcement through The Bible Chapel church. Ilkin made it clear he was going to fight this disease. Ilkin played for the Steelers for 13 seasons in the 80s and 90s and is the team’s radio color commentator.

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