Ed Sabol | |
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| Born | Edwin Milton Sabol (1916-09-11)September 11, 1916 |
| Died | February 9, 2015(2015-02-09) (aged 98) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Ohio State University |
| Occupation | Founder ofNFL Films |
| Spouse | Audrey Sabol |
| Children | Steve Sabol |
| Awards | Awards and honors |
Edwin Milton Sabol (September 11, 1916 – February 9, 2015) was an American filmmaker and the founder (with his sonSteve Sabol, among others) ofNFL Films. He was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 2011 as a contributor due to his works with NFL Films.
Sabol was born to aJewish[1] mother and Romanian father inAtlantic City, New Jersey in 1916 and raised inBlairstown, New Jersey.[2][3] While attendingBlair Academy, he excelled in several sports, and set a World Interscholastic Swimming record in the 100-yard freestyle race.[4] He continued his noted swimming career atOhio State University. He was selected for the1936 Olympic team but refused to participate because of the games being held inNazi Germany.[1] He had some success in the theater as an actor, appearing on Broadway for the production ofWhere Do We Go from Here.[4] He served in World War II, and upon returning to civilian life, worked as a clothing salesman out of his father-in-law's factory.[5]
Sabol founded Blair Motion Pictures in1962. Its first major contract was to film the1962 NFL Championship Game between theNew York Giants and theGreen Bay Packers atYankee Stadium in New York. In1964, Blair Motion Pictures became NFL Films, with an exclusive deal to preserve NFL games on film. It has been said by his sonSteve Sabol, of NFL Films, "The only other human endeavor more thoroughly captured on 16-mm film than the National Football League is World War II."[5] In 1995, he officially retired from NFL Films in his role as president and chairman.[4] In 1996, he was elected to theInternational Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[1]
On February 5, 2011, Sabol was elected to thePro Football Hall of Fame inCanton, Ohio.[6]
Sabol died on February 9, 2015, at his home in Arizona.[7]
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