Age, Biography and Wiki
Tunch Ilkin was born on 23 September, 1957 in Istanbul, Turkey, is a Turkish-American gridiron football player and sports broadcaster (1957–2021). Discover Tunch Ilkin's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 63 years old?
| Popular As |
N/A |
| Occupation |
N/A |
| Age |
63 years old |
| Zodiac Sign |
Virgo |
| Born |
23 September, 1957 |
| Birthday |
23 September |
| Birthplace |
Istanbul, Turkey |
| Date of death |
4 September, 2021 |
| Died Place |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality |
Turkey
|
We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 23 September.
He is a member of famous Player with the age 63 years old group.
Tunch Ilkin Height, Weight & Measurements
At 63 years old, Tunch Ilkin height is 190 cm and Weight 119 kg.
| Physical Status |
| Height |
190 cm |
| Weight |
119 kg |
| Body Measurements |
Not Available |
| Eye Color |
Not Available |
| Hair Color |
Not Available |
Who Is Tunch Ilkin's Wife?
His wife is Karen Rafferty (m. 2013), Sharon Senefeld (m. 1982–2012)
| Family |
| Parents |
Not Available |
| Wife |
Karen Rafferty (m. 2013), Sharon Senefeld (m. 1982–2012) |
| Sibling |
Not Available |
| Children |
Clay Ilkin |
Tunch Ilkin Net Worth
His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Tunch Ilkin worth at the age of 63 years old? Tunch Ilkin’s income source is mostly from being a successful Player. He is from Turkey. We have estimated Tunch Ilkin's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
| Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
| Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
| Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
| Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
| House |
Not Available |
| Cars |
Not Available |
| Source of Income |
Player |
Tunch Ilkin Social Network
Timeline
Tunch Ilkin (Tunç Ali İlkin; September 23, 1957 – September 4, 2021) was a Turkish-American football player and sports broadcaster.
A two-time Pro Bowl selection as an offensive tackle with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was the first Turk to play in the National Football League (NFL).
He was voted to the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team.
In 1975, he was granted an athletic scholarship to Indiana State University, where he played for head coaches Tom Harp (1975–77) and Dick Jamieson; a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference pick, he was chosen by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 1980 NFL Draft.
Ilkin played offensive tackle for the Steelers from 1980 to 1992, earning two Pro Bowl appearance honors (1988 and 1989).
He worked alongside sideline reporter and former teammate Craig Wolfley, who, like Ilkin, joined the Steelers via the 1980 draft.
Ilkin and Wolfley hosted a morning radio show called In The Locker Room with Tunch and Wolf on WBGG.
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 Township, Pennsylvania.
Ilkin served as vice president of the NFL Players' Association from 1989 to 1994.
He played for the Green Bay Packers in 1993 before retiring from football.
After retiring from football, Ilkin began appearing as a commentator and reporter on sports broadcasts in the Pittsburgh market and, nationally, worked as a game analyst for NBC during the 1995 NFL season.
After his playing career, he was a television and radio analyst for the Steelers from 1998 to 2020.
Ilkin was born in Istanbul, Turkey; his parents Mehmet and Ayten Ilkin emigrated to the United States when he was two years old and settled in the Chicago area.
He attended Highland Park High School in Highland Park, Illinois, where he won All Conference and All County honors as a football player.
After Cope's retirement following the 2004 season, the team decided not to replace Cope, and Ilkin took on the color-commentary duties once carried by Cope.
After 2006, In The Locker Room was broadcast daily during the football season: locally on 970 ESPN in Pittsburgh, and nationally on Steelers Nation Radio (SNR).
Ilkin was the senior vice president of the Athletic Training Network, a 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.
He was named to the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team in 2007.
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..."
