When Steve Sabol passed away Tuesday after an 18-month battle with an inoperable brain tumor, he did so having left behind a legacy that has shaped the way people watch — and rewatch — sports.
As president of NFL Films, Sabol was integral in creating many of the innovations that have made watching sports the enjoyable experience it is today. From the slow-motion images of game action to the powerful voice of John Facenda reading a poetic, lyrical script written by Sabol, the beauty of the game was showcased and sold by one man.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft called Sabol an "artist" and a "true visionary" who "spent his life preserving the legacy of the National Football League and its many legends." Through his efforts, NFL Films is single-handedly responsible for the way sports fans remember legends such as Vince Lombardi and Hank Stram, moments like "The Catch" and "The Immaculate Reception," and behind-the-scenes moments, like Joe Montana pointing out John Candy before leading the 49ers to a win in Super Bowl XXIII.
Sabol has contributed so much to how sports are broadcasted and highlights are filmed, edited and packaged that it is hard to imagine what it must have been like before him. Check out some of Sabol's greatest contributions to the way sports are presented today.
Click here to see Sabol's Top 10 innovations in sports television>>
Screen Grab via YouTube/rbvo
