Irv Cross, the former NFL defensive back who shattered a color barrier as the first African American to appear as a full-time TV sports analyst before co-hosting CBS' The NFL Today for 14 years, has died.
He was 81. Cross died early Sunday morning near his home in Roseville, Minnesota, the Philadelphia Eagles announced. He played cornerback for that team for six seasons, including one year as a player-coach, and three with the Los Angeles Rams.
Following his retirement in 1970, he began a second career as a sportscaster, starting on the weekends in Philadelphia. In 1971, the amiable Cross made history when CBS Sports hired him as an analyst and commentator.
Read more on hollywoodreporter.com