The National Football League has been so consumed with the referee lockout that it has overshadowed the deaths of two of the most influential people in NFL history, Steve Sabol and Art Modell.
Although both Modell and Steve Sabol were the engineers behind the modern day television industry in the NFL, neither of them have been awarded the most prestigious award in the league, being inducted into the Hall of Fame. If it were up to me, both of these individuals would already have a bronze bust of their face in Canton, Ohio, next to the other greats of the NFL.
Art Modell was the owner of two NFL organizations during his career: the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. Even though Modell was highly criticized when he moved the beloved Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, he still played a vital role in the growth of the league. Modell died on Sept. 6, 2012, of natural causes.
Modell had committed 43 years of his life to the NFL. Between 1961, when he bought the Browns, and 2004, when he sold the Ravens, he was able to build a legacy like no other. As the head of the NFL Television Committee, Modell created two of the biggest televised events in the league’s history: Monday Night Football and Thanksgiving Day games.
While Modell was making a name for himself, so was Steve Sabol. In 1962, Steve’s father, Ed Sabol, persuaded then NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle to allow him to film the NFL championship game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers, even though he had little experience. Although Steve was merely a cameraman for his dad at this point, it was the start that gave him the chance to revolutionize the that way fans watched football.
Three years after the filming of the 1962 championship, the father and son duo sold their company to the NFL, with the agreement that Ed and Steve would still run the company. Steve was given the titles of Co-Founder and Creative Director. Steve immediately embraced the role of creative director when he brought in crucial innovations to NFL Films. Iinnovations included more cameras on the field, up close and personal shots, using film instead of tape for higher quality video, and the creation of slow motion highlight reels.
Not long after the start of NFL Films, Monday Night Football began to use the company’s highlight reels during halftime. When ESPN was created in 1979, it showed NFL Films reels on a daily basis.
What exactly are the Hall of Fame voters waiting for? Its not like they were a big deal or anything.
