Tag: Irv Cross

Former Rams CB Irv Cross dies at 81

Irv Cross made the Pro Bowl twice in his NFL career before spending two decades in broadcasting.

Former Rams and Eagles cornerback Irv Cross died at age 81 on Sunday. Cross also spent 23 years in broadcasting at CBS, including 14 years on the network’s “The NFL Today” show.

CBS shared the following statement on the passing of Cross.

Cross spent the first five years of his career with the Eagles after being a seventh-round pick in 1961. He made the Pro Bowl in 1964 and 1965 before joining the Rams in 1966 and spending three seasons in Los Angeles. He finished his career in Philadelphia, playing one more season with the Eagles in 1969. Cross only missed one game in the NFL, his rookie season in 1961.

He finished his career with 22 interceptions, two pick-sixes and eight forced fumbles in 125 games.

As a broadcaster, Cross won the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award in 2009, becoming the first Black broadcaster to win the award. It’s just one example of what made him a pioneer in the broadcasting industry.

Former NFL player, CBS broadcaster Irv Cross dies at 81

Irv Cross, one of the members of the great THE NFL TODAY studio show, has died at the age of 81.

Long before cable and the plethora of studio shows, there was “The NFL Today” on CBS. The pregame show featured, among others, Brent Musburger, Irv Cross, Jack Whitaker, Phyllis George, Jimmy the Greek, and Jayne Kennedy through the years.

It was must-see TV for every NFL fan. Heck for every sports fan.

CBS announced Cross has passed away. He died at the age of 81 Cross Sunday morning near his home in Roseville, Mn.

“I’ve been around all kinds of people, from every walk of life. I don’t know that I could give you one person who was nicer than Irv Cross. He was a constant gentleman,” said Musburger, who worked with Cross and others on the first live NFL pregame show that set the standard that is still followed today.

Per Philadelphiaeagles.com:

A seventh-round pick of the Eagles in 1961 out of Northwestern where he was coached by Ara Parseghian, Cross spent six years in Philadelphia as a player and another three with the Los Angeles Rams. During Training Camp of his rookie year, he asked the coaches to release him early if he didn’t have a future in football. He planned to attend graduate school. After earning Pro Bowl honors in consecutive seasons, Cross was traded to the Rams following the 1965 season. He returned to the Eagles as a player/defensive backs coach in 1969 and remained in the coaching role for the 1970 season.

Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, Jack Whitaker, Brent Musburger, Jayne Kennedy, and Irv Cross. (AP Photo/CBS)

Cross is survived by his wife, Liz; four children, Susan, Lisa, Matthew, and Sarah; grandson Aiden; brothers Raymond, Teal, and Sam; sisters Joan, Jackie, Julia, Pat, and Gwen; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation or the Concussion Legacy Foundation.