Sports

Founder Of NFL Films Ed Sabol Passes Away At 98

/ CBS Philadelphia

By Ray Boyd

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The NFL announced on Monday afternoon that the founder of NFL Films, Ed Sabol, passed away at the age of 98.

Sabol died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on Monday. Sabol is a legend in the NFL as he forever changed the way fans view the game. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

During his time with NFL Films, from 1964-1995, the company amassed 52 Emmy Awards.

Sabol's innovations include the usage of music to enhance highlights, blooper reels, and the usage of microphones on players, coaches and referees.

Sabol's son Steve Sabol took over as President in 1985. Steve Sabol passed away in 2012 at the age of 69.

Sabol was born in Atlantic City, NJ and was raised in Blairstown. He was working for his father-in-law's overcoat company in Philadelphia before he started his own film company, Blair Productions, in 1962.

Blair Productions became NFL Films in 1964. His young company gained the rights to film NFL games. Prior to that, Sabol's only experience with filming football came in the form of recording his son Steve when he played high school football in Philadelphia.

First published on February 9, 2015 / 5:23 PM EST

© 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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