Flash Thoughts:
CBS Sports was ahead of others when on September 21 of 1975, the network presented the NFL Today for the first time.
A pregame show that had variety.
Previews, features, odds on the games and breaking sports stories.
For yours truly, it serves as a valuable purpose in the many years Flash has hosted pregame high school football shows on WKUL FM.
No doubt the original host of the NFL Today was the right fit for CBS to select.
Brent Musburger was new to TV media when he was asked to lead this pregame show that would be live on three different time zones in the US.
Informative, to the point and very sharp allowed Musburger to be a part of something now that is a trademark when NFL fans take in a Sunday of contests in the early afternoon, late afternoon and in prime time.
Watching him through the years is where I look at this in how I am on Friday nights before our Game of the Week team of Rich Jesse and Pete Kirby step into their assignment.
Musburger was adequate in his halftime reports and for sure in the postgame show.
What I do for WKUL FM in the fall is my heaven. I could do play by play, but I choose not to for the station has allowed a person like Rich Jesse to become a regular voice to the Game of the Week like now with CBS' coverage of NFL football being Jim Nantz.
Now for us at WKUL FM this week, a huge one in looking at the matchup on paper.
The undefeated Good Hope Raiders at the undefeated Addison Bulldogs. Two programs that have built winning from the ground up for a long time.
The hype of the game going in for yours truly is rewarding. We are presenting a great encounter of small school style football in the AHSAA.
CBS is trying to maintain an edge with the NFL Today as Fox, ESPN and NBC are doing what they can to grab advantage at any take.
The NFL Today is a tradition as I remember the many times of turning on CBS on a Sunday at 11:30 a.m. to see what was on tap for the NFL that day.
The role of Phyllis George in being the first truly sports woman of the media society and having good analysis from former defensive back Irv Cross gave the show a wide range of entertainment.
George described the trio as a football version of a TV show in the 1970s called the "Mod Squad."
The white guy, black guy and the woman.
So Happy Anniversary to the NFL Today on CBS from a fan that shares the same approach in the working stature with Musburger, George and Cross.
From left, Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, Jimmy The Greek Snyder and Irv Cross of the NFL Today on CBS in the 1970s.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Journal.
