Fansided

How Ed Sabol changed the way we watch football

By Gary Gurecki

Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the golden NFL shield logo at the entrance to the 4th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; General view of the golden NFL shield logo at the entrance to the 4th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ed Sabol passed away on Monday, leaving behind his indelible marks on how we watch NFL football.

Jul 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Hard Knocks film crew prior films the Atlanta Falcons during training camp at Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Hard Knocks film crew prior films the Atlanta Falcons during training camp at Falcons Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

The NFL lost a monumental figure today with the passing of NFL Films’ Ed Sabol.

Sabol, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame’s 2011 class, died at his home in Scottsdale, Arizona on Monday.  Known as an innovator for the way millions watch the NFL today, Sabol introduced many different aspects to the football viewing experience that we still enjoy today.

Sabol was also a well decorated for his achievements, earning 91 Emmy Awards throughout his career.

So we’re counting down some of the biggest contributions Sabol made to the way fans watch NFL games on a weekly basis. Starting with…

Super slow motion replays

Over the last 25 years, slow motion replays has added more and more to not only the home viewing experience of the game for the fans of the NFL, but also the officiating itself. 

Things such as replay booths for the officials, and also large replays broadcasted inside the stadium through jumbotrons are all very common today but it was Ed Sabol who was the first to utilize the technology during broadcasts and NFL Film’s Presents specials. 

It is very possible these innovations would have taken more time to develop without Sabol’s work, adding them into the NFL viewing experience.  Memories such as the “Fail-Mary”, Dwight Clark’s “The Catch,” and David Tyree’s “Helmet Catch” in the Super Bowl would not be burned into fan’s minds without Sabol’s work to popularize slow motion instant replays. 

Next: Mic’d up players and coaches

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