Brent Musburger shared a statement praising Phyllis George, who died on Thursday at the age of 70.
George won Miss America in 1971 and was Miss Texas in 1970. In 1972, she joined “The NFL Today”, becoming one of the first females to have a national role in a sports broadcasting program.
Musburger and Irv Cross co-hosted “The NFL Today” beginning in 1975 with George as a reporter. Here is what Musburger said about his former colleague:
“Phyllis George was special. Her smile lit up millions of homes for the NFL Today.
“Phyllis didn’t receive nearly enough credit for opening the sports broadcasting door for the dozens of talented women who took her lead and soared.
“Folks – men and women – were comfortable with Phyllis talking about their favorite sport. And in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, they loved Phyllis despite her Dallas Cowboys bias!
“RIP Phyllis. Irv Cross and I will miss you dearly.”
According to the Louisville Courier-Journal, George died from complications due to a blood disorder she had managed since her mid-30s.
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