Yesterday, the sports world (the world of NFL football in particular) lost a legend. Steve Sabol, one half of the father-son tandem that revolutionized sports broadcasting with the way they shot and chronicled the history of the National Football League, lost his battle with Brain Cancer at the age of 69. Diagnosed with a brain tumor in March 2011, Mr. Sabol was fortunate enough to be around to induct his father and NFL Films founder Ed Sabol into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.
Steve Sabol (standing) with father Ed Sabol (sitting) at Ed’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction in 2011
The charismatic president of NFL Films played many different roles within the company. Steve Sabol started out as a cinematographer and went on to win 35 Emmys in that particular discipline, as well as in writing, producing, directing, and editing. He took the reins of his father’s brainchild and further changed the way we watch football, bringing us closer to the players, coaches, officials, and the game in general. NFL Films immortalized and humanized the game and its most prominent figures all at the same time.
On behalf of the entire staff here at War Room Sports, I’d like to send condolences to the Sabol family and I’d also like to say “thank you”. Steve Sabol will be sorely missed; however his contributions to the game will live on forever.
