She was unquestionably a pioneer, sharing the studio desk with co-host Brent MusburgerGETTY IMAGES
Former CBS sportscaster PHYLLIS GEORGE died last Thursday in Lexington, Ky., at 70, according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. George was Miss America in '71 and joined CBS four years later "as a member of the otherwise all-male cast of 'The NFL Today.'" George "immediately became the most prominent woman in sportscasting." She was "unquestionably a pioneer," and to many young women who "hoped to have careers in sportscasting, seeing her sharing the studio desk" with co-hosts BRENT MUSBURGER, IRV CROSS and JIMMY SNYDER "discussing the day's games was inspiring." ESPN's HANNAH STORM in an email wrote, "Sometimes you have to see it to be it; you have to know something is a career option in order to aspire to it. Which means someone has to be first. That was Phyllis George -- a true trailblazer." George was "best known for her interviews with athletes" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/17). Musburger tweeted, "Phyllis didn't receive nearly enough credit for opening the sports broadcasting door for the dozens of talented women who took her lead and soared." Former CBS Sports President NEAL PILSON said, "She had an openness and enthusiasm that made her a valuable contributor. She didn't claim to know a tremendous amount about sports, but she knew about people, which is why her interviews resonated. She could do the best interviews with athletes and family members" (AP, 5/16).
