![Irv Cross, NFL Player, Pioneer Black Analyst, Dies At 81](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2021/03/GettyImages-72068880.jpg?w=630&h=423&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Irv Cross, NFL Player, Pioneer Black Analyst, Dies At 81
PHILADELPHIA -- AP -- Irv Cross, the former NFL defensive back who became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television, died Sunday. He was 81. The Philadelphia Eagles, the team Cross spent his six of his nine NFL seasons with, said Cross' son, Matthew, confirmed his father died near his home in Roseville, Minnesota.
![106.5 The FAN logo](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2020/02/512.jpg?w=100)
Get our free mobile app
The cause of death was not provided. From Hammond, Indiana, Cross starred in football and track and field at Northwestern. He was drafted in the seventh round by Philadelphia in 1961, was traded to Los Angeles in 1966 and returned to the Eagles in 1969 as a player coach. Cross joined CBS in 1971, becoming the first Black network sports show anchor. He left CBS in 1994.
TACKLE THESE: Check Out the Best Uniforms In Each NFL Team's History
More From 106.5 The FAN
![Win Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Tickets For Saturday, August 3](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-1242443424.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Vikings Bring Back Veteran Pro-Bowler To The Team](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/11/attachment-GettyImages-1753239869.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Behind The Scenes: Northland Sports Page At Minnesota Vikings’ TCO Studios](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/08/attachment-Broadcast-Team.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Top 2023 Minnesota Vikings Draft Pick Jordan Addison Caught Breaking The Law](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/07/attachment-GettyImages-1485925005.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Minnesota Vikings Officially Cut Dalvin Cook, Share Tribute Video As Goodbye](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/06/attachment-GettyImages-1455075248.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Report: Minnesota Vikings Star Running Back Dalvin Cook Being Cut By Team](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/06/attachment-GettyImages-1456654006.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Vikings, Cal QB Joe Kapp Dies At Age 85](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/05/attachment-JoeKapp.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Vikings Take USC WR Jordan Addison At No. 23 In NFL Draft](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-1485925005.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Packers Take Pass-Rusher Van Ness At No. 13 In NFL Draft](http://townsquare.media/site/986/files/2023/04/attachment-GettyImages-1243315330.jpg?w=980&q=75)