This “NFL Today” opening is from the 1988 NFC final between S.F. and Chicago, 1/8/89. Watch for a treat towards the end-- after the opening, the chopper people, as they are trying to get a beauty shot of the Chicago skyline, are out of position over Lake Michigan, and frantically have to attempt to get back into position as the “NFL Today” title moves into position at the top of the screen for Don Robertson’s billboard; the chopper’s attempt to assume the correct position for the skyline shot would only make the audience kind of dizzy. Fortunately, the skyline shot problem is rectified by the time that Don introduces Brent “live from Soldier Field in Chicago.”
At this time, the studio show still had the long-established Brent Musburger and Irv Cross, but Phyllis George was long gone, and Jimmy “The Greek” was fired in the 1987-88 season, I believe. Instead, in their places were the late Will McDonough and Chicago Bears great Dick Butkus. Look for their portions of the opening; you’ll notice Will and Dick by the fact that the lettering used for their names had virtually no depth to it. Dick’s intro, although lacking depth in the lettering, was similar to that of Jimmy “The Greek.”
This would be the last time that CBS would use its “computer robot” opening for “The NFL Today,” as NBC broadcast SB XXIII 1/22/89, two weeks later. Next season (1989-90), CBS would adopt the short-lived opening that was previously posted here.
At the time of this broadcast from Chicago, it was only 10° outside, with a wind-chill factor of -33°. The winds were blowing pretty hard too.
Here’s the clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM_TdigniGk