NFL Films’ Steve Sabol Passes Away

Steve Sabol wasn’t a member of the Green Bay Packers family, but he was definitely connected to the franchise as the creative force behind NFL Films. He died Tuesday after an 18-month battle with brain cancer.

Sabol founded NFL Films with his father Ed. Their first assignment? Shooting the 1962 NFL Championship game between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants.

At the time, the company was called Blair Motion Pictures and they got the gig by submitting a bid to the NFL. Two years later, the company became NFL Films when it was purchased by the league.

Steve, who received 40 Emmy Awards, is credited as being the creative force behind the company he served as president of since 1985.

Ed was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Steve was 69 at the time of his death.