On the final day of Black History Month, we are sad to report that sports broadcasting legend, Irv Cross, has passed away.
He was 81.
Cross, who played in the NFL for nine seasons, was a trailblazer. According to CBSSports.com, he was “the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television.”
The always smiling Cross was born in Indiana in 1939. He was named the Male Athlete of the Year in 1957 by The Times of Northwest Indiana and played football and track & field at Northwestern University. The Philadelphia Eagles drafted Cross in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft. The two-time Pro Bowler for the Eagles spent the first six seasons with the team and was traded to the Rams. In 1969, after three seasons with the team, he retired.
He returned to Philadelphia as an assistant coach before joining the broadcasting ranks as a game analyst at CBS in 1971. He covered football, track and field, and gymnastics. Four years later, he teamed with Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder on the groundbreaking show The NFL Today, making him the first Black anchor of a network sports show. It also paired him with another trailblazer in George, who was one of the first female sportscasters in television history.
Irv Cross was a man driven by his faith and admired for his warm personality and strong work ethic.
“He was a quiet gentleman,” said Clifton Brown, who helped write Cross’s memoir. “He’s one of the most gentle people I’ve ever met. But underneath, there was a determination within him. He was a tough cornerback. He was a physical player, great tackler. He was not afraid of challenges.”
And as a Black man in the world of broadcasting, he knew the responsibility he had to those coming behind him. It was a responsibility he took to heart.
“He knew that it was important for him to do well. Irv knew that if the show had failed, that it might hurt down the road for other Black sportscasters to get a similar opportunity. He was carrying that weight and he did it so superbly,” said Brown. “It’s just a seamless transition now. We’re just so used to seeing former athletes on television. But all of them, particularly those who are African-American, whether they know it or not, I believe they owe a debt to Irv Cross.”
“All of us at CBS Sports are saddened by the news of Irv Cross’ passing,” said CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus. “Irv was a pioneer who made significant contributions to the storied history and tradition of CBS Sports and, along with Phyllis George and Brent Musburger, set the standard for NFL pregame shows with THE NFL TODAY. He was a true gentleman and a trailblazer in the sports television industry and will be remembered for his accomplishments and the paths he paved for those who followed.”
And many have followed Irv Cross through those doors over the last five decades.
“It’s kind of symbolic that he passed away on the last day of Black History Month. He is a historic figure in television as the first Black national sports analyst and to be on a show that successful; he’s a part of sports television history,” Brown said. “I loved how good he was at his job. I loved that he looked like me and he was a guy on television at that time, in that position, where you didn’t see people who looked like me. And he handled himself so well. He was an inspirational figure to me and I think a lot of people felt that way.”
Rest In Power Irv Cross. You were a true trailblazer and inspiration.
