CBS Broadcasting Legend Irv Cross Dies at 81

CBS Broadcasting Legend Irv Cross Dies at 81

Irv Cross, the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, has died at 81, CBS Sports announced Sunday night. 

Cross spent nine seasons as an NFL cornerback, drafted out of Northwestern University by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft.

He spent six years with the Eagles and three with the Rams before retiring from pro football after the 1969 season.

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During his career, Cross made two Pro Bowls and picked off 22 passes in his nine NFL seasons.

Broadcast Career

Cross then worked with the Eagles as an assistant coach and joined CBS in 1971, when he became the first Black network sports show anchor. 

CBS Sports put together a crew of Musburger, George, Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder and Cross for THE NFL TODAY show, which "made a large impact on how pregame shows were planned and executed," according to CBS Sports. 

"All of us at CBS Sports are saddened by the news of Irv Cross' passing," CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said in a statement. "Irv was a pioneer who made significant contributions to the storied history and tradition of CBS Sports and, along with Phyllis George and Brent Musburger, set the standard for NFL pregame shows with THE NFL TODAY."

"He was a true gentleman and a trailblazer in the sports television industry and will be remembered for his accomplishments and the paths he paved for those who followed," McManus added.