Steve Sabol, founder of NFL Films, dies

[MadtownPacker]

Extensive use of slow motion, close-ups, showing a single play from multiple angles with actual real-time player and coach comments in the background from mics on the sidelines were all their ideas. You didn't see much of that in the actual broadcasts. I couldn't wait for the release of the yearly video summaries for each team and the playoff highlights. They would broadcast them Sunday mornings in the off-season. With the booming voice of John Facenda as narrator, it made watching NFL Films almost a religious experience in those early days. The sights and sounds were that unique.

Great way to put it. I just read your post in what I once believed was the voice of the NFL God.

RIP Mr. Sabol, you brought something special to this world.

[George Cumby]

Bummer.

I grew up watching those old NFL films, criminy but they were good. John Facenda WAS the voice of God.

Funny thing, the other day I was singing "Drunken Sailor" to the wife. She didn't get it.

[KYPack]

The 85 yard TD run by Taylor, shown at 2:37 of that video, shows a little bit why Starr recently said Bob Skoronski deserves to be in the HOF. That was him, #76, running stride for stride with Taylor down the sideline, and delivering a final block obliterating a defender at the goal line, 85 yards from where the play started (even more when you consider he came from outside the far hashmark).

The defender is then Lions CB and now Uber Steeler DC, Dick LeBeau.

[RashanGary]

I did't know Steve was sick either. What a loss for football. That guy - and his Dad - really loved what he(they) did and were excellent at it. RIP

One thing he's going to have to answer for is calling the Cowboys "America's Team." Go easy on him, Vince!

The Packers SB DVD, I believe, is the last one he did. I have that DVD. Love it.

[Patler]

The defender is then Lions CB and now Uber Steeler DC, Dick LeBeau.

Hall of Famer Dick LeBeau attempting to tackle Hall of Famer Jim Taylor, and getting blasted by plain old Bob Skoronski.

[Kiwon]

The Sabol family was great. You can't separate the popularity (and the money) of the NFL from NFL Films. They really helped to monetize the product.

Like I said last week, the only two things I care about regarding the NFL is (1) what takes place on the field and (2) NFL Films. You can keep the rest of it.

The Sabols were innovators, pioneers, and yes, they DID build that business....to the benefit of generations of sports fans everywhere.

[mmmdk]

Great tribute thread! RIP.

[Fritz]

I always thought it was Ed Sabol's voice. Damn. But whoever did it all - the Sabols - made football players into gods and the games into wars above aMt. Olympus. They made the NFL into more than a game - this was mythmaking at its best.

[pbmax]

Forget the film, voice or cuts. Remember the music.

[pbmax]

Remember the Starbucks ad from a couple of years ago where with a cup of Starbucks you got Survivor to follow you around to play "Eye of The Tiger" wherever you went?

How much fun would you have if the NFL Films orchestra followed you around to provide a score for walking into work meetings?