When I was recovering from surgery when I was a kid I would watch the greatest ever NFL films VHS over and over and over and over. That was the 75th anniversary of the NFL. It made my recovery so much easier meet him and his son Steve rest in peace to the sables and Steve
Even though it's long since passed, it's a hard blow to see Steve Sabol as he appeared at his father's induction ceremony, knowing he had but little more than a year left to live.
Ed Sabol had so much to do with the growth and popularity of the NFL. People don't realize how much of the way sports and not just football are televised these days all started with the Sabols. Ed and his son were so great at hiring the right people for the right job i.e., Sam Spence for the music and John Facenda to narrate NFL films. Ed Sabol belongs in the Hall of Fame.
As a kid, I couldn't wait to see the NFL Films episode of the most recent Super Bowl just to watch everything that the network didn't show. I can only imagine if MLB, NBA and NHL followed suit in the 60s. Legends live because of Sabol. And Facenda's voice is legendary. I love "it starts with a whistle and ends with a gun."
Between that and their Football Follies, I seriously loved every thing they put out and it made me a fan of the game instead of one team. I was one of the people they mentioned that would love to hear coaches on the sidelines. Those were my favorite episodes to watch and why I became more of a fan of coaches than players and teams l.
Ed is not only one of the most unrecognized filmmakers of all time, he's pound for pound the greatest documentary filmmaker of all time. He took a sport and created an American Mythology out of it.
There should be more comments here. The NFL isn't anything that it is today if it were for Ed Sabol. I saw more football through NFL Films and everything they did than I did games. Their highlights of all the players in action is how I became more a fan of coaches and players by position rather than picking one team. I love everything NFL Films has done. This was a very emotional episode to watch. I can't count the times I shed a tear.
Ed and his son Steve are the reason why the NFL has it's own mythology with a pantheon of Gods they've documented throughout their decades of making NFL documentaries. Thank God both got into the HOF before dying.
Four things you needed for pro ball to soar ! A football , talent , fans and NFL FILMS ! Put them together and look where it went ? John Facenda , the voice of God ! When you look at how they broke it down ! Games shown , locker rooms , coaches & players mic'd , behind the scenes and the music , the %$#@ing MUSIC . I can still see and hear Johnny U trying to drive the Colts down the field to pull out a victory in Super Bowl III , hoping and praying he still had one more miracle in him ! I think God wanted to film pro football , so he sent Ed Sabol ! Presidential Medals should be awarded , if not already !
Thank you for posting this full episode! It’s one of the best Football Lives. You can’t watch this and not feel bad that Steve’s life was cut short. He had a great life though, and did exactly what he wanted, and had fun. We should all be so lucky
This father and son is the reason I have something to wat h on youtube. Never been a fan of football but I love the story telling of the NFL Films. Non-existent to other sports.
Regimes throughout history would have killed to have ministers of propaganda as effective as the Sabols have been for the National Football League and that is the highest of praises I can imagine. There is no way the NFL is the incredible monolith it is today in the American sports scene without them.
RIP to both ed, and his son steve
The Sabola..epitome of class
When I was recovering from surgery when I was a kid I would watch the greatest ever NFL films VHS over and over and over and over. That was the 75th anniversary of the NFL. It made my recovery so much easier meet him and his son Steve rest in peace to the sables and Steve
Even though it's long since passed, it's a hard blow to see Steve Sabol as he appeared at his father's induction ceremony, knowing he had but little more than a year left to live.
Ed Sabol had so much to do with the growth and popularity of the NFL. People don't realize how much of the way sports and not just football are televised these days all started with the Sabols. Ed and his son were so great at hiring the right people for the right job i.e., Sam Spence for the music and John Facenda to narrate NFL films. Ed Sabol belongs in the Hall of Fame.
Steve does as well.
As a kid, I couldn't wait to see the NFL Films episode of the most recent Super Bowl just to watch everything that the network didn't show. I can only imagine if MLB, NBA and NHL followed suit in the 60s. Legends live because of Sabol.
And Facenda's voice is legendary. I love "it starts with a whistle and ends with a gun."
Between that and their Football Follies, I seriously loved every thing they put out and it made me a fan of the game instead of one team. I was one of the people they mentioned that would love to hear coaches on the sidelines. Those were my favorite episodes to watch and why I became more of a fan of coaches than players and teams l.
MLB had This week in baseball with Mel Allen and The NBA had NBA action
I balled like a baby watching this...God Bless Ed and Steve.
Ed is not only one of the most unrecognized filmmakers of all time, he's pound for pound the greatest documentary filmmaker of all time. He took a sport and created an American Mythology out of it.
RIP the greatest of all times!!!! Thank you for all you done for the fans.
I love Ed Sabol
I watched these on cable 30/40 years ago. They hold up. It's still great. Music, narration, music, footage.
There should be more comments here. The NFL isn't anything that it is today if it were for Ed Sabol. I saw more football through NFL Films and everything they did than I did games. Their highlights of all the players in action is how I became more a fan of coaches and players by position rather than picking one team. I love everything NFL Films has done. This was a very emotional episode to watch. I can't count the times I shed a tear.
Ed and his son Steve are the reason why the NFL has it's own mythology with a pantheon of Gods they've documented throughout their decades of making NFL documentaries. Thank God both got into the HOF before dying.
Four things you needed for pro ball to soar ! A football , talent , fans and NFL FILMS ! Put them together and look where it went ? John Facenda , the voice of God ! When you look at how they broke it down ! Games shown , locker rooms , coaches & players mic'd , behind the scenes and the music , the %$#@ing MUSIC . I can still see and hear Johnny U trying to drive the Colts down the field to pull out a victory in Super Bowl III , hoping and praying he still had one more miracle in him ! I think God wanted to film pro football , so he sent Ed Sabol ! Presidential Medals should be awarded , if not already !
Incredible music...John Facenda.. It's Rolls Royce film making
I've seen this before on the NFL channel and I could watch it many more times
Thanks Ed.
HE showed Us What WAS POSSIBLE ,IN the pursuit of excellence ❤ thanks for the memories ❤❤❤Dobie Wan Kanobie ❤❤❤❤
Theses guys were legendary
Thank you for posting this full episode! It’s one of the best Football Lives. You can’t watch this and not feel bad that Steve’s life was cut short. He had a great life though, and did exactly what he wanted, and had fun. We should all be so lucky
God I miss the WWII generation. To a man, they were no bullshit. Ed Sabol was a MENSCH! All caps.
This father and son is the reason I have something to wat h on youtube. Never been a fan of football but I love the story telling of the NFL Films. Non-existent to other sports.
Facenda had a one of a kind voice
Regimes throughout history would have killed to have ministers of propaganda as effective as the Sabols have been for the National Football League and that is the highest of praises I can imagine. There is no way the NFL is the incredible monolith it is today in the American sports scene without them.
As much as a Hall of Famer as Jim Brown.
Why did the brainiacs at the NFL wait so long for these two men to be put in the HOF? Sadly, one man..
GREAT AMERICANS ED AND STEVE SABOL!!!!!!!!!.... the daughter Blair is just a little bit snooty. Still, great folks . Wonderful family.
Very Big man
I always thought that was Ed who narrated
I guess if one looks like Jerry Lewis then you're an automatic comedian.