This is going to be a tough one, but hopefully we can solve some of these.
Going back in time, several times during the pro football season, games were played that was not covered by one of the main networks (CBS, NBC, ABC), but were instead farmed out to a local channel for telecast. For the most part, there are one of three reasons why the big boys couldn't do the game(s). either:
1. They were not played on a Sunday afternoon or a Monday night. Or...
2. They conflicted with NBC's commitment to major league baseball to carry post season baseball, in particular, the World Series. Or...
3. Work stoppages or strikes that were bitter and caused disruption, notably the IBEW strike against CBS in 1972.
The following games from the period of 1970 thru 1984 either definitely fit or possibly fit these scenarios. I have listed - where known - the local TV channel call letters that televised these games, and either the theoretical or definite commentator crews.
What I am gently asking those with interest in this topic is that if you can turn any theoretical crews into definite pairings, correct TV channels, please let me know here, or by pm'ing me, or even by email at [email protected]
The definite channels and crews are in red bold (all kickoff times eastern).
Week 1, 1970:
9/18:
Cardinals-Rams, 11, local to StL. Bob Wilson, Jim Bolen, Ollie Raymond (KMOX)
9/19:
Bears-Giants, 8, local to Chi. Brent Musburger, Jerry Kramer (WBBM)
Week 3, 1970:
10/3:
Raiders-Dolphins, 8, local to B.A. Don Klein, Dave Kocourek (KNEW)
Steelers-Browns, 9, local to Pgh. Sam Nover, Otto Graham, Red Donley (WIIC)
Week 4, 1970:
10/10:
Dolphins-Jets, 8:45, local to Mia. Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
10/11:
Bills-Steelers, 1, local to Buf. Dave Martin, Johnny Morris (WBEN)
Bengals-Browns, 1, local to Cin. Jay Randolph, Dave Kocourek
Colts-Oilers, 1, local to Bal. Bill O'Donnell, George Ratterman
Patriots-Chiefs, 2, local to Bos. Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis
Week 4, 1971:
10/10:
Colts-Bills, 1, local to Bal. Jay Randolph, Kyle Rote (WBFF)
Oilers-Redskins, 1, local to Hou. Bill Enis, Dave Kocourek
Dolphins-Bengals, 1, local to Mia. Al Michaels, Johnny Morris
Steelers-Browns, 1, local to Pgh. Jay Randolph, Ed Conway (WTAE)
Chargers-Chiefs, 2, local to SD. Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Week 5, 1971:
10/17:
Colts-Giants, 1, local to Bal. Jay Randolph, Kyle Rote (WBFF)
Bills-Jets, 1, local to Buf. Al Michaels, Johnny Morris
Patriots-Dolphins, 1, local to Bos. Bill Enis, George Ratterman (WNAC)
Week 6, 1971:
10/23:
Bills-Chargers, 12 midnight. Local to Buf. ????
Week 5, 1972:
10/15:
Oilers-Steelers, 1, local to Hou. Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Chargers-Dolphins, 1, local to SD. Ross Porter, Dave Kocourek
Week 6, 1972:
10/22:
Colts-Jets, 1, local to Bal. Jim Karvellas, Dave Kocourek (WJZ, WBFF)
Bills-Dolphins, 1, local to Buf. Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Patriots-Steelers, 1, local to Bos. Ken Coleman, Alan Miller (WCVB)
Chargers-Lions, 1, local to SD. Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
Browns-Oilers, 2, local to Cle. Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Week 8, 1972:
11/5:
Cardinals-Eagles, 1, local to stl. Jay Randolph, Alan Miller (KSD)
Redskins-Jets, 1, Not Televised
Cowboys-Chargers, 4, local to dal. Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
Week 9, 1972:
11/12:
Saints-Falcons, 1, local to NO. Don Criqui, Irv Cross
Packers-Bears, 2, CBS REGIONAL. Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer
An ad-hoc network of 6 CBS affiliates in Wis-UP Mich did GB-Min.
Week 11, 1972:
11/26:
Vikings-Steelers, 1, CBS. Jack Drees, George Connor, Andy Musser
Eagles-Giants, 1, Not Televised
Week 12:
12/3:
Saints-Jets, 1, Not Televised
Week 5, 1973:
10/14:
Raiders-Chargers, 4, local to B.A. Ross Porter, Willie Davis (KTVU)
Week 6, 1973:
10/21:
Patriots-Bears, 2, local to Bos & Chi. Ken Coleman, Sam DeLuca (WLVI, WGN)
Chiefs-Bengals, 4, local to KC. Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
Week 4, 1974:
10/6:
Broncos-Chiefs, 4, local to den. John Rayburn, Paul Maguire
Week 5, 1974:
10/13:
Bills-Colts, 2, local to Buf. Bill O'Donnell, Paul Maguire
Oilers-Vikings, 2, local to Hou. Tim Ryan, Willie Davis
Steelers-Chiefs, 2, local to Pgh. Dick Stockton, Bill Currie (KDKA)
Raiders-Chargers, 4, local to Bay Area. Don Klein, Al LoCasale (KHBK)
Week 3, 1975:
10/5:
Bengals-Oilers, 2, NBC or local to Cin. Dick Stockton, Sam DeLuca
Dolphins-Packers, 2, NBC or local to Mia & GB/Mil. Tim Ryan, Mike Haffner
Colts-Rams, 4, local to Bal. Bill O'Donnell, Paul Maguire (WJZ)
Raiders-Chargers, 4, local to Bay Area. Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Week 4, 1975:
10/12:
Broncos-Steelers, 1, local to Den. John Rayburn, Bob Kurtz, Fred Gehrke (KBTV)
Oilers-Browns, 1, local to Hou. Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Patriots-Bengals, 1, Not televised
Jets-Vikings, 1, local to NY & Mpls/StP. Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas (WCBS, ?? To Mpls/StP)
Bills-Colts, 2, local to Buf. Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Week 6, 1975:
10/25:
Cardinals-Giants, 1, local to StL. Jay Randolph, Ron Jacober (KSD)
Week 7, 1975:
11/1:
Chargers-Giants, 1, Not Televised (the last NFL regular season game not to be televised anywhere)
Week 7, 1976:
10/23:
Falcons-49ers, 10, local to Atl. Bill Hartman, Wayne Walker (WAGA)
Week 2, 1977:
9/24:
Vikings-Buccaneers, 8, local to Mpls/StP. Roger Buxton, Johnny Sauer (WTCN, Tape Delay 9/25 8:30 EDT)(The last NFL regular season game not to be televised live)
Week 1, 1978:
9/2:
Giants-Buccaneers, 8, local to NY. Steve Albert, Nick Buoniconti (WCBS)
Week 2, 1978:
9/9:
Lions-Buccaneers, 8, local to Det. Ray Lane, Charley Neal (WJBK)
Week 7, 1978:
10/15:
Bills-Oilers, 2, NBC or local to Hou. Marv Albert, Paul Maguire
Chiefs-Raiders, 4, local to KC. Jay Randolph, Mike Haffner
Dolphins-Chargers, 4, local to Mia. Stu Nahan, Bob Trumpy
Jets-Colts, 4, local to NY. Jim Simpson, Paul Warfield (WPIX)
Week 1, 1979:
9/1:
Lions-Buccaneers, 8, local to Det. Ray Lane, Ron Kramer, Charley Neal (WJBK)
Week 6, 1979:
10/7:
Chiefs-Bengals, 1, local to KC. Jack Harry, Ed Budde, Nick Monroe (KCMO)
Week 7, 1980:
10/19:
Chiefs-Broncos, 4, local to KC and Den. Don Fortune, Paul Maguire (KCMO). Larry Zimmer, Ron Zappolo (KOA)
Week 1, 1981:
9/5:
Vikings-Buccaneers, 8, local to Mpls/StP and TB. Jim Thacker, John Dockery, Bob Bruce (KSTP/WTOG)
Week 6, 1983:
10/9:
Chiefs-Raiders, 4, local to KC. Don Fortune, Len Dawson (KCTV)
Week 1, 1984:
9/3:
Browns-Seahawks, 4, local to Cle & Sea. Phil Stone, Reggie Rucker (WKYC). Charlie Jones, Gene Washington (KING)
Week 7, 1984:
10/14:
Bills-Seahawks, 4, local to Buf & Sea. Rick Azar, Marv Levy (WKBW). Phil Stone, Reggie Rucker (KING)
I did not include an Eagles-49ers Week 1 game from 1983, played on a Saturday afternoon in SF because it was a full CBS production and was televised to CBS affiliates in the Philly and Bay Area primary/secondary markets.
I also did not include recent games (Chiefs-Dolphins & Steelers-Dolphins from 2004 and Titans-Dolphins from 2005) that were rescheduled for Friday night, Sunday night and Saturday afternoon respectively. Two of the games were televised by CBS to CBS affiliates in the primary/secondary markets and the other was a CBS production and was carried by 6 stations, 5 of which were UPN affiliates and one a CBS affiliate.
Please help turn "these names" into "these names!!" With your help, you'll be playing a vital role in the history of pro football on television!
Thanks for your interest!! ;D
Going back in time, several times during the pro football season, games were played that was not covered by one of the main networks (CBS, NBC, ABC), but were instead farmed out to a local channel for telecast. For the most part, there are one of three reasons why the big boys couldn't do the game(s). either:
1. They were not played on a Sunday afternoon or a Monday night. Or...
2. They conflicted with NBC's commitment to major league baseball to carry post season baseball, in particular, the World Series. Or...
3. Work stoppages or strikes that were bitter and caused disruption, notably the IBEW strike against CBS in 1972.
The following games from the period of 1970 thru 1984 either definitely fit or possibly fit these scenarios. I have listed - where known - the local TV channel call letters that televised these games, and either the theoretical or definite commentator crews.
What I am gently asking those with interest in this topic is that if you can turn any theoretical crews into definite pairings, correct TV channels, please let me know here, or by pm'ing me, or even by email at [email protected]
The definite channels and crews are in red bold (all kickoff times eastern).
Week 1, 1970:
9/18:
Cardinals-Rams, 11, local to StL. Bob Wilson, Jim Bolen, Ollie Raymond (KMOX)
9/19:
Bears-Giants, 8, local to Chi. Brent Musburger, Jerry Kramer (WBBM)
Week 3, 1970:
10/3:
Raiders-Dolphins, 8, local to B.A. Don Klein, Dave Kocourek (KNEW)
Steelers-Browns, 9, local to Pgh. Sam Nover, Otto Graham, Red Donley (WIIC)
Week 4, 1970:
10/10:
Dolphins-Jets, 8:45, local to Mia. Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
10/11:
Bills-Steelers, 1, local to Buf. Dave Martin, Johnny Morris (WBEN)
Bengals-Browns, 1, local to Cin. Jay Randolph, Dave Kocourek
Colts-Oilers, 1, local to Bal. Bill O'Donnell, George Ratterman
Patriots-Chiefs, 2, local to Bos. Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis
Week 4, 1971:
10/10:
Colts-Bills, 1, local to Bal. Jay Randolph, Kyle Rote (WBFF)
Oilers-Redskins, 1, local to Hou. Bill Enis, Dave Kocourek
Dolphins-Bengals, 1, local to Mia. Al Michaels, Johnny Morris
Steelers-Browns, 1, local to Pgh. Jay Randolph, Ed Conway (WTAE)
Chargers-Chiefs, 2, local to SD. Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Week 5, 1971:
10/17:
Colts-Giants, 1, local to Bal. Jay Randolph, Kyle Rote (WBFF)
Bills-Jets, 1, local to Buf. Al Michaels, Johnny Morris
Patriots-Dolphins, 1, local to Bos. Bill Enis, George Ratterman (WNAC)
Week 6, 1971:
10/23:
Bills-Chargers, 12 midnight. Local to Buf. ????
Week 5, 1972:
10/15:
Oilers-Steelers, 1, local to Hou. Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Chargers-Dolphins, 1, local to SD. Ross Porter, Dave Kocourek
Week 6, 1972:
10/22:
Colts-Jets, 1, local to Bal. Jim Karvellas, Dave Kocourek (WJZ, WBFF)
Bills-Dolphins, 1, local to Buf. Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Patriots-Steelers, 1, local to Bos. Ken Coleman, Alan Miller (WCVB)
Chargers-Lions, 1, local to SD. Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
Browns-Oilers, 2, local to Cle. Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Week 8, 1972:
11/5:
Cardinals-Eagles, 1, local to stl. Jay Randolph, Alan Miller (KSD)
Redskins-Jets, 1, Not Televised
Cowboys-Chargers, 4, local to dal. Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins
Week 9, 1972:
11/12:
Saints-Falcons, 1, local to NO. Don Criqui, Irv Cross
Packers-Bears, 2, CBS REGIONAL. Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer
An ad-hoc network of 6 CBS affiliates in Wis-UP Mich did GB-Min.
Week 11, 1972:
11/26:
Vikings-Steelers, 1, CBS. Jack Drees, George Connor, Andy Musser
Eagles-Giants, 1, Not Televised
Week 12:
12/3:
Saints-Jets, 1, Not Televised
Week 5, 1973:
10/14:
Raiders-Chargers, 4, local to B.A. Ross Porter, Willie Davis (KTVU)
Week 6, 1973:
10/21:
Patriots-Bears, 2, local to Bos & Chi. Ken Coleman, Sam DeLuca (WLVI, WGN)
Chiefs-Bengals, 4, local to KC. Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
Week 4, 1974:
10/6:
Broncos-Chiefs, 4, local to den. John Rayburn, Paul Maguire
Week 5, 1974:
10/13:
Bills-Colts, 2, local to Buf. Bill O'Donnell, Paul Maguire
Oilers-Vikings, 2, local to Hou. Tim Ryan, Willie Davis
Steelers-Chiefs, 2, local to Pgh. Dick Stockton, Bill Currie (KDKA)
Raiders-Chargers, 4, local to Bay Area. Don Klein, Al LoCasale (KHBK)
Week 3, 1975:
10/5:
Bengals-Oilers, 2, NBC or local to Cin. Dick Stockton, Sam DeLuca
Dolphins-Packers, 2, NBC or local to Mia & GB/Mil. Tim Ryan, Mike Haffner
Colts-Rams, 4, local to Bal. Bill O'Donnell, Paul Maguire (WJZ)
Raiders-Chargers, 4, local to Bay Area. Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Week 4, 1975:
10/12:
Broncos-Steelers, 1, local to Den. John Rayburn, Bob Kurtz, Fred Gehrke (KBTV)
Oilers-Browns, 1, local to Hou. Charlie Jones, Sam DeLuca
Patriots-Bengals, 1, Not televised
Jets-Vikings, 1, local to NY & Mpls/StP. Gary Bender, Johnny Unitas (WCBS, ?? To Mpls/StP)
Bills-Colts, 2, local to Buf. Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Week 6, 1975:
10/25:
Cardinals-Giants, 1, local to StL. Jay Randolph, Ron Jacober (KSD)
Week 7, 1975:
11/1:
Chargers-Giants, 1, Not Televised (the last NFL regular season game not to be televised anywhere)
Week 7, 1976:
10/23:
Falcons-49ers, 10, local to Atl. Bill Hartman, Wayne Walker (WAGA)
Week 2, 1977:
9/24:
Vikings-Buccaneers, 8, local to Mpls/StP. Roger Buxton, Johnny Sauer (WTCN, Tape Delay 9/25 8:30 EDT)(The last NFL regular season game not to be televised live)
Week 1, 1978:
9/2:
Giants-Buccaneers, 8, local to NY. Steve Albert, Nick Buoniconti (WCBS)
Week 2, 1978:
9/9:
Lions-Buccaneers, 8, local to Det. Ray Lane, Charley Neal (WJBK)
Week 7, 1978:
10/15:
Bills-Oilers, 2, NBC or local to Hou. Marv Albert, Paul Maguire
Chiefs-Raiders, 4, local to KC. Jay Randolph, Mike Haffner
Dolphins-Chargers, 4, local to Mia. Stu Nahan, Bob Trumpy
Jets-Colts, 4, local to NY. Jim Simpson, Paul Warfield (WPIX)
Week 1, 1979:
9/1:
Lions-Buccaneers, 8, local to Det. Ray Lane, Ron Kramer, Charley Neal (WJBK)
Week 6, 1979:
10/7:
Chiefs-Bengals, 1, local to KC. Jack Harry, Ed Budde, Nick Monroe (KCMO)
Week 7, 1980:
10/19:
Chiefs-Broncos, 4, local to KC and Den. Don Fortune, Paul Maguire (KCMO). Larry Zimmer, Ron Zappolo (KOA)
Week 1, 1981:
9/5:
Vikings-Buccaneers, 8, local to Mpls/StP and TB. Jim Thacker, John Dockery, Bob Bruce (KSTP/WTOG)
Week 6, 1983:
10/9:
Chiefs-Raiders, 4, local to KC. Don Fortune, Len Dawson (KCTV)
Week 1, 1984:
9/3:
Browns-Seahawks, 4, local to Cle & Sea. Phil Stone, Reggie Rucker (WKYC). Charlie Jones, Gene Washington (KING)
Week 7, 1984:
10/14:
Bills-Seahawks, 4, local to Buf & Sea. Rick Azar, Marv Levy (WKBW). Phil Stone, Reggie Rucker (KING)
I did not include an Eagles-49ers Week 1 game from 1983, played on a Saturday afternoon in SF because it was a full CBS production and was televised to CBS affiliates in the Philly and Bay Area primary/secondary markets.
I also did not include recent games (Chiefs-Dolphins & Steelers-Dolphins from 2004 and Titans-Dolphins from 2005) that were rescheduled for Friday night, Sunday night and Saturday afternoon respectively. Two of the games were televised by CBS to CBS affiliates in the primary/secondary markets and the other was a CBS production and was carried by 6 stations, 5 of which were UPN affiliates and one a CBS affiliate.
Please help turn "these names" into "these names!!" With your help, you'll be playing a vital role in the history of pro football on television!
Thanks for your interest!! ;D
