Irv Cross

NFL player


DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1939|7|27
Birthplace= Hammond, Indiana
DateOfDeath=
DraftedYear=1961
DraftedRound=7
Position=Cornerback
College=Northwestern
DatabaseFootball=CROSSIRV01
PFR=CrosIr00
ProBowls=1964, 1965
years=1961-1965
1966-1969
1969
teams=Philadelphia Eagles
Los Angeles Rams
Philadelphia Eagles

Irvin Acie "Irv" Cross (b. July 27 1939, Hammond, Indiana) is a former professional American football cornerback and commentator.

In 1961, Cross was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the National Football League (NFL) draft. Later 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 playing football in 1970, when he became a coach for the Eagles.

Cross was an NFL analyst and commentator for CBS Sports from 1971, when he became the first black sports analyst on national television, to 1994, including anchoring "The NFL Today" from its inception in 1975 through 1989. He served as athletic director at Idaho State University from 1996 to 1998. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE7DF143EF935A35752C1A96E958260 PLUS: COLLEGE FOOTBALL - IDAHO STATE; Irv Cross Dismissed - New York Times ] ]

Cross was the Director of Athletics at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota until May 2006. He is now the Co-CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota and is back to football commentary for Twin Cities Fox Broadcasting affiliate Fox 9. He has two children Matthew, 18, who is attending Dana College in the fall of 2007 and Sarah, 16, who is attending Concordia Academy. His wife Liz, is also a Co-CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota.

ee also

* List of NFL on CBS commentator pairings

References

External links

* [http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/news/Story.asp?story_id=2117 Eagles profile on Irv Cross]
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/idaho/flashback/ "Sports Illustrated" Flashback: "Boss Cross"]