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RIP to Eagles Pro Bowler and Broadcasting Pioneer Irv Cross
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You’d have to be an old school Philadelphia sports fan to remember Irv Cross, who died this weekend at the age of 81.
Cross played for the Birds in the 1960s and was a really good cornerback. He was twice named to the Pro Bowl and finished his nine-year NFL career with 22 interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns.
One of the interesting things about Cross was that he built a successful and pioneering broadcasting career that actually began while he was still a player.
Chris McPherson at the Birds’ official website explains in a fantastic writeup:
“His post-playing success started in his rookie season. Following the 1960 NFL Championship, players were asked to give speeches and make appearances on the behalf of corporations. Most players requested a fee. Cross told Eagles Director of Public Relations Jim Gallagher that he would gladly help for free. Following an appearance, Cross was approached by Bill Emerson, who was the sports director at WIBG radio station in Philadelphia. Cross started his broadcast career at WIBG while he was still playing and caught the attention of KYW, who offered Cross its sports director role on both radio and television. He gained plenty of exposure in the Philadelphia market as his sportscast preceded The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.”
After calling it a football career in 1970, he joined CBS sports as an analyst, and became the first black network sports show anchor, joining Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, and Jimmy Snyder for the network’s pregame football show, know as The NFL Today. He remained with the network until 1994.
Cross was an original when it came to players transitioning into broadcasting, and paved the way for black athletes to become broadcasters after retirement. In 2009, he was awarded the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award for “exceptional contributions” to the game and is also a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.
Irv Cross suffered from cognitive dementia in recent years and his brain is being donated to Northeastern University for CTE testing.
RIP.
RIP Irv Cross. Excellent corner for the @Eagles back in the day, terrific broadcaster for CBS. And a very nice guy to boot. pic.twitter.com/v0uGfI7017
— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) March 1, 2021
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com