• Welcome to OGBoards 10.0, keep in mind that we will be making LOTS of changes to smooth out the experience here and make it as close as possible functionally to the old software, but feel free to drop suggestions or requests in the Tech Support subforum!

Irv Cross dies at 81

RJKarl

Banhammer'd
Joined
Mar 17, 2011
Messages
78,116
Reaction score
3,112
Location
HB, CA
Irv Cross has died. As a player, he was an All-Pro DB. But he was so much more.

CBS didn't just break the mold with their studio show. They pulverized it and then set what was left on fire. There were no baby steps. Brent Musberger was a celebrated announcer who became the main host. Then, they hired Cross as the first black person to be on a major set. On top of that, they added the former Miss America, Phyllis George to the team. A woman talking football at that time was unheard of. Just to make sure they pissed everyone off, the fourth member of their team was infamous gambler Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder. Again, no one had ever been bold enough to talk openly about gambling on football. In fact, it wasn't all that long after Alex Karras and Paul Hornung had been suspended for gambling on games.

This was truly a revolutionary team to put on TV every Sunday. If any had failed, the show could have imploded. Who knows what would have happened if they had? But this team worked like a fine Swiss watch and gave insights never heard before.

Cross' knowledge, class and ability to identify with the audience was critical. He opened the door for other people of color and former players to be featured on national platforms. He mentored many over the years. He is owed a debt of gratitude.

RIP
 
He was good one the NFL Today, but that's been a long time ago. Did he just decide to get out of TV, because looks like he could've done that a lot longer than he did?
 
Back
Top