PDA

View Full Version : Steve Sabol, the NFL films guy, dead at 69



Little Texan
09-18-2012, 04:08 PM
Link (http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/09/18/nfl-films-steve-sabol-roger-goodell/70000601/1#.UFjUTiLsYTA)

NFL Films' President Steve Sabol succumbs to cancer

By Michael Hiestand, USA TODAY

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/gameon/2012/09/18/SW03_SABOLsteve_23-x-wide-community.jpg

NFL Films' President Steve Sabol died Tuesday after an 18-month battle with brain cancer. He was 69.

"Steve Sabol was the creative genius behind the remarkable work of NFL Films," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "Steve's passion for football was matched by his incredible talent and energy. ... He was a major contributor to the success of the NFL, a man who changed the way we look at football and sports, and a great friend."

IN PHOTOS: Sabol through the years

NFL Films began in 1962, when Sabol's father, Ed, won film rights to the league's championship game, which Steve worked as a cameraman.

Sabol is survived by his wife, Penny, his son Casey, his parents Audrey and Ed (who is 96) and his sister Blair.

Under Steve Sabol, NFL Films pioneered video techniques such as super slow-motion, wireless microphones on players and dramatic music added to replay highlights.

His father was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.

"My dad has a great expression," Sabol said when his father's induction was announced. " 'Tell me a fact, and I'll learn. Tell me a truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.' And now my dad's story will be in Canton and hopefully that will live forever, too."

COVER STORY: A look back at Sabol, NFL Films

Father and son received the Lifetime Achievement Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2003 and, according to the NFL, Steve Sabol won more than 40 Emmys awards and oversaw 107 Emmys for NFL Films.

The family requested any donations be sent to the Jefferson Foundation for Brain Tumor Research, c/o Lindsey Walker, 925 Chestnut St., Suite 110, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107.

BigBadBrian
09-18-2012, 05:52 PM
RIP Steve. Who DOESN'T like NFL Films?

clarathecarrot
09-18-2012, 06:09 PM
Huge fan here..the gritty old scratchy films and the commentary are historically Smithsonian quality heritage of the game.

He really got you down on the field and into the game itself.

RIP

chefcraig
09-19-2012, 02:36 PM
What a shame. This guy and his father Ed changed the way we see the NFL. Heck, even the clods in Journey were savvy enough to contact NFL Films when the band wanted to film a live documentary in 1983.

RIP, Mr. Sabol.

Hardrock69
09-19-2012, 03:55 PM
NFL Films is who filmed the Texas Jam with Van Halen in 1978...