Early-'80s: NFL on NBC vs NFL Today (CBS)

[74_75_78_79_]

Gumble/Axthelm or Musburger/Cross/Phyllis(or Jayne)/Jimmy? Yes, that post I made on the 'Most Memorable NFL Weeks' thread inspired this and as I said, I look back fondly on both equally. However, hearing that NFL Today opening theme still delivers goose-bumps! Back home from Sunday school/Church, getting in my regular clothes and hearing it blare from the living room TV; seemed like the bright autumn sun was shining through each and every window of the entire house! And then you hear Brent's voice booming and you're "in" for the rest of the afternoon! Not sure I liked these better than NFL Today but do have specific memories thoroghly enjoying Gumbel's half-time shows if watching an NBC game. Halftime Dolphins/Steelers '80 come to mind for whatever reason (Bengals are beating KC). Despite that Historic opening theme of NFL Today, NBC may have the edge with (the use of) music otherwise. To this day, whenever I hear Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster", I think of 'Dolphins/Steelers' for they played that very track going into commercials of that very game; it was the first time I ever heard it (I forgot what channel the next game I saw - Eagles at Chargers - was on). Graphics (the show of helmets, font of teams when showing the score before commercial or when showing scores halftime or post-game) always played a part with me as well. Greek and his counterpart Axthelm were each fun to hear! Their predictions always kept all ears open wide. I'm torn between the two. Problem then obviously was you couldn't watch both pre-game shows at the same time, had to choose. Would like to hear your opinions. 'Inside the NFL' on Showtime, for what little I get to see of it, is likely the closest that anything from the present comes to comparing IMO. Childlike shouting matches/arguments are for if you choose to subject yourself to a loud crowded sports-bar scene, not for an actually pregame, halftime, and/or post-game show in front of your TV in a quiet enough setting.

[MatthewToy]

As a child in the 80s I was forced to watch whatever pre game show my mom would put on. Since we were in Pittsburgh she'd put on the NBC show 14 out of 16 weeks a season. But as young as I was I somehow knew that the NFL Today was better. However as the 80s went on it didn't matter as much.

[Jay Z]

As a child in the 80s I was forced to watch whatever pre game show my mom would put on. Since we were in Pittsburgh she'd put on the NBC show 14 out of 16 weeks a season. But as young as I was I somehow knew that the NFL Today was better. However as the 80s went on it didn't matter as much.

Your mom forced you to watch a pre game show? I was lucky if I got to watch a pre game show at all. Interfered with my dad's polka show schedule.

[Citizen]

To this day, whenever I hear Stevie Wonder's "Master Blaster", I think of 'Dolphins/Steelers' for they played that very track going into commercials of that very game;

I have a similar reaction whenever I hear "You May Be Right" by Billy Joel, whose intro was used by CBS in the early '80s as bumper music during their NFL coverage.

[MatthewToy]

As a child in the 80s I was forced to watch whatever pre game show my mom would put on. Since we were in Pittsburgh she'd put on the NBC show 14 out of 16 weeks a season. But as young as I was I somehow knew that the NFL Today was better. However as the 80s went on it didn't matter as much.

Your mom forced you to watch a pre game show? I was lucky if I got to watch a pre game show at all. Interfered with my dad's polka show schedule.

I probably wrote that wrong. I wanted to watch pregame shows. But I to watch the one that focused more on the AFC teams which was NBC.

[JohnH19]

I was an NFL Today guy in the 70s. It was CBS for me because they covered the NFC and my Vikings.

Here in Winnipeg, back then, our CBS feed came from North Dakota so we got Jim Adelson's local pregame show at 11:00 and then the NFL Today at 11:30. The Vikings game would usually follow at noon so our TV stayed on channel 4 until at least 3:00. Great memories.