Irv Cross, who spent nine seasons as an NFL cornerback and later became the first black man to work full time as a national sports analyst, died at the age of 81, CBS Sports announced Sunday night. Cross thrived on working in a variety of different roles during his 23 years at CBS Sports.
“All of us at CBS Sports are saddened by the news of Irv Cross’s death,” CBS Sports President Sean McManus said in a statement. “Irv was a pioneer who made significant contributions to the history and tradition of CBS Sports and, together with Phyllis George and Brent Musburger, set the standard for NFL pre-match programs with THE NFL TODAY. He was a true gentleman and a pioneer in the sports television industry and will be remembered for his achievements and the paths he opened for those who followed him. “
Cross was born in Hammond, Indiana in 1939, and attended Northwestern University, where he participated in athletics and football. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft and would spend six years in Philadelphia and three with the Rams before hanging up after the 1969 season. Cross made two Pro Bowls and made 22 passes in his nine seasons. of the NFL.
After retiring, Cross worked with the Eagles as a technical assistant and later joined CBS in 1971, when he became the first anchorman for a black sports program. CBS Sports brought together a team of Musburger, George, Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder and Cross for the NFL TODAY show, which had a major impact on how pre-game shows were planned and performed.
“He knew it was important for him to do well,” said Clifton Brown, who worked with Cross on his memoirs, Carrying the cross, through the Eagles’ official website. “Irv knew that if the program failed, it could hurt on the way for other Black sports announcers to get a similar opportunity. He was carrying that weight and he did it superbly.
“It’s a perfect transition now. We are so used to seeing former athletes on television. But all of them, especially those who are African American, whether they know it or not, I believe they owe Irv Cross.”
In 2009, Cross was named the winner of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Professional Football Hall of Fame. This honor is awarded annually by the Professional Football Hall of Fame and recognizes “exceptional long-standing contributions to radio and television in professional football,” according to its website.
Humble, hardworking and perceptive, regardless of the position he held, Cross was a great television artist who will surely be missed.