Thursday, 16 April 2026

Irv Cross

Contest: The US Athletic Hall of Fame - Commentators 2026
Embed from Getty Images
Sport(s): Football & Basketball
Statistics & Accolades: Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award
Indiana Football Hall of Fame
A nine-year NFL veteran at Cornerback, Irv Cross was already making broadcasting history while a player, becoming the first black person to do TV sports reporting in Philadelphia. When his playing career ended, Cross joined CBS Sports, where in 1971, he became the first black sports analyst on national television. Four years later, he joined the NFL Today lineup, where, along with Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, and Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, he became the must-watch opening to the NFL on Sunday.

Cross excelled at the role, and he had to be, as the first black national studio host, so that others could follow in his footsteps. He carried himself as a beacon of playing knowledge and was described by Musburger as the “finest gentleman” in the industry. Cross always came across as poised, authentic, and intelligent, and would become not just a trailblazer but, historically, one of the finest studio analysts ever to cover the NFL.

Fittingly, in 2009, Cross made history again as the first black recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award.

We are proud to nominate Irv Cross for the United States Athletic Hall of Fame.