Getty ImagesPlenty of monumental figures in pro football have shared their thoughts and memories of NFL Films president Steve Sabol, but Sabol’s contribution to the game of pro football are perhaps best captured by the observations of former NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol.
“Steve Sabol understood better than anyone that the National Football League was sports’ ultimate unscripted drama,” Ebersol said. “He brought it to life in such a way that I believe he had more influence than anyone else on how sports fans see the NFL. On top of that, he was one of the most glorious human beings I have ever met.”
For those of us who grew up in the era of three channels, time stood still when any one of those channels featured a production of NFL Films. Whenever I hear the term “NFL Films,” I’ll think of Steve Sabol.
Then again, I’ve been doing that for almost as many years as I’ve been watching the NFL.
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“The Autumn Wind”
The Autumn wind is a pirate
Blustering in from sea
With a rollicking song he sweeps along
Swaggering boisterously.
His face is weather beaten
He wears a hooded sash
With a silver hat about his head
And a bristling black mustache.
He growls as he storms the country
A villain big and bold
And the trees all shake and quiver and quake
As he robs them of their gold.
The Autumn wind is a Raider
Pillaging just for fun
He’ll knock you ’round and upside down
And laugh when he’s conquered and won.
Steve Sabol
NFL Films made me fall in love with football.
R.I.P.
RIP Steve, you’ll be missed by all that you’ve touched. Thanks for the memories you given me.
There should be a moment of silence at every game this week for Steve. He meant that much to the league and the sport… I expect the old line teams, especially the Eagles, to do it anyway…
Yesterday, an article appeared that Steve had never played football, maybe they were not an Eagle fan.
Just ask Jaws about Steve an the Eagles.