Irv Cross
| Date of birth | July 27, 1939 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Hammond, Indiana |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Cornerback |
| College | Northwestern |
| NFL draft | 1961 / Round: 7 / Pick: 98 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1961–1965 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1966–1968 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1969 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls | 1964, 1965 |
| Career stats | |
|
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Irvin Acie "Irv" Cross (born July 27, 1939) is a former professional American football cornerback and sportscaster.
Playing career
Cross was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 1961 NFL Draft. In 1966 he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. Then in 1969, he returned to the Eagles and became a player/coach. He retired from play before the 1970 season, becoming a coach for the Eagles.
After football
Cross was employed as an analyst and commentator for CBS Sports from 1971, when he became the first African-American to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, to 1994. In addition to his work on CBS' NFL coverage (including co-anchoring The NFL Today from its inception in 1975 through 1989), Cross called NBA basketball, track and field, and gymnastics at various times for the network. He served as athletic director at Idaho State University from 1996 to 1998.[1]
Cross was the Director of Athletics at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota until May 2006. He was the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota until May 2010 and is back to football commentary for the Twin Cities' Fox station KMSP-TV.
Irv Cross was the 2009 recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. The award, given annually by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizes "long-time exceptional contributions to radio and television in professional football."[2]
Personal
Cross is married to wife, Liz and has four children Lisa, Susan, Matthew, 24, and Sarah, 22.
See also
References
- 1939 births
- Living people
- African-American players of American football
- American football cornerbacks
- American television reporters and correspondents
- American television sports announcers
- College football announcers
- Eastern Conference Pro Bowl players
- Gymnastics broadcasters
- Idaho State Bengals athletic directors
- Los Angeles Rams players
- National Basketball Association broadcasters
- National Football League announcers
- Northwestern Wildcats football players
- Sportspeople from Hammond, Indiana
- Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award recipients
- Philadelphia Eagles players
- Sportspeople from the Chicago metropolitan area
- Track and field broadcasters
