Longtime Pittsburgh Steeler player and broadcaster Tunch Ilkin announced on Thursday he would step down from his role on Steeler broadcasts to focus on his fight against ALS. Ilkin played offensive tackle for the Steelers from 1980-1992, earning two Pro Bowl nods, and has been part of the team's broadcast crew since 1998.

"I'm probably handling it tougher than he is," said broadcast partner Craig Wolfley to TribLIVE. "He is such a strong man. He always has been such a determined guy, unflinching in whatever it is he is facing. He still maintains that, continues that. He's the greatest gift of a brother you can hope for."

Ilkin discovered he had ALS in September in the midst of the Steelers' sprint out to an 11-0 start. His final game calling the Steelers was the team's 48-37 loss to the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs. In addition to his role with the team, Ilkin is also dedicated to his church, something that was not lost on Wolfley as he dealt with the difficult occasion.

"He'll deal with things that God puts in his path," Wolfley said. "He's not going to stop being Tunch. He can't do that. He's just too purposed for that."