Ed Sabol, Founder of NFL Films, Passes Away
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NFL Shield (NFL)(NEW YORK) — Ed Sabol, the founder of NFL Films, passed away at 98 years old.
Sabol died in his home Monday in Scottsdale, Arizona, according to the NFL.
NFL Films was created by Sabol in 1962 originally under the name Blair Motion Pictures, named for his daughter Blair. Sabol won the rights to film the 1962 NFL championship game between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants.
Then NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle was so impressed by Sabol’s film that he asked the owners to buy the motion picture company. After initial hesitation, the owners agreed to buy the company after rebranding it NFL Films.
Sabol was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011. In his speech he said, “I dreamt a dream, the impossible dream. I dreamt the impossible dream and I’m living it right this minute.”
Football fans were introduced to John Facenda, often referred to as “The Voice of God,” through Sabol’s work. NFL Films provided an innovative look at pro football, through unique narration, an underscore and alternate camera angles.
Sabol and his son Steve, who later became president of NFL films in 1985, created many of the popular programs such as Football Follies, Hard Knocks and The Lost Treasures.
Steve Sabol passed away in 2012 from brain cancer at the age of 69.
Ed Sabol is survived by his wife of 74 years, Audrey, his daughter, Blair, and grandson, Casey.
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