Remembering Steve Sabol Through the Music of Sam Spence

It was like a most unexpected kick in the gut when I heard the news of Steve Sabol passing yesterday.  If you know anything at all about the NFL (National Football League) then you know, at least, of the work of Steve Sabol and his father Ed Sabol.  The two launched NFL Films way back in the 1960s and unwittingly set the NFL on a trajectory of popularity that no one could have anticipated.

Mike Greenberg of ESPN's Mike and Mike In the Morning, used the best word possible in describing what Ed and Steve Sabol did through their amazing camera work, editing, the unmistakable voice-talent of John Facenda and the inspirational music of Sam Spence.  They made the games of the NFL mythic events and the players mythic heroes.  NFL Films has done for football players as much as Marvel and DC have done.  They have all given us modern-day myths; tales of challenge, heroism, bravery, defeat, brokenness, determination, restoration and victory.  We shared these moments, these stories, with our fathers, and with our children.  Somehow the stories about "a game" have become woven into the culture of this nation:  The Ice Bowl, The Immaculate Recption, The Catch, Jim Brown, Gale Sayers, Red Grange, The Monsters of the Midway all would be fading memories of the preceding generation without the work of Steve Sabol.  What an astounding and unexpected legacy to have.

I recall spending many-a Super Bowl eve watching NFL Films presentation of every single Super Bowl leading up to the live game that Sunday.  Steve Sabol introduced each one and so I felt like he was a mentor, a keeper of the lore of the NFL, and yearly telling us the unforgettable stories of the gridiron.  The images and sounds they created are more like memories of personal experiences, as if I had attended each of those games, more than they are of watching a television program.  There aren't many television show producers or film directors that I can say the same about.


So it's with a rather profound amount of sadness that I right this post and perhaps even greater sadness that all of the tributes and notes of thanks being poured out everywhere cannot be heard by Steve himself.   I, like many others, I'm sure, wish they had known about his illness so all of these expressions of love and thanks could have been given to him prior to yesterday.

In any event, we re-present our special feature THE THEMES OF FALL: The Music of Football and Film as a tribute to the great Steve Sabol.

SoundCast Interview with David Robidoux (Truth in 24)

Interview: David Robidoux (Truth in 24)
Composer David Robidoux shares about his latest project TRUTH IN 24, a NFL Films documentary focusing on the Audi Race Team and their competition in the 24 hours at LeMans race.

Recorded June 04, 12, 2009
Published June 12, 2009

Episode Highlights

00:00 - Opening
02:25 - Interview part I: How did NFL Films come to do this project?
08:55 - Interview part II: How the score works within this documentary
18:15 - Interview part III: Working on this project versus NFL features
25:02 - Interview part IV: Variety with intensity
36:55 - Episode Close and Credits

Music Clips (Select music clips contained in this podcast)

00:00 The Great Race - Truth in 24 (David Robidoux)
07:05 Truth in 24 - Truth in 24 (David Robidoux)
16:23 Man and Machine - Truth in 24 (David Robidoux)
23:45 The Perfect Race - Truth in 24 (David Robidoux)
35:26 Winning It All - Truth in 24 (David Robidoux)

Download, stream, or subscribe to listen here!

The Themes of Fall: The Music of Football and Film

I am seriously considering switching from cable to satellite. Why? You must not know what time of year it is. Although ESPN blares hours and hours of football coverage, although there are games on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and sometimes Thursday, I, like so many others, want more. Fantasy Leagues are preparing for their drafts. Gamers are already getting their Madden 2008 on. People are shelling out their hard earned dollars for NFL Ticket on satellite. The national tailgate party has already begun and I want in on this digital- football party that is the NFL Network.

There is something about the game of football. There is the tradition and that "mysterious something" that taps into the soul of a man (or woman) that grabs the heart's attention from the waning days of Summer through to the dawning of Winter. While it is, of course, something within the game of football itself, it has been the unique presentation of the that game that has greatly contributed to our fascination and even obsession with it. The "Ice Bowl" Championship game between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, Joe Namath's "Guarantee," "The Immaculate Reception," "The Catch," "The Drive" are all apart of that which has become the NFL mythology. Because of NFL Films and even Hollywood, we can quote famous sideline rants of players and coaches. Whenever we say "Lambeau Field" our voice drops two octaves in honor of John Facenda. As we lace up our shoes for the annual Thanksgiving game, we hum famous tunes we don't know the names of. There is something about the game of football and the music attached to it has played no small part in elevating the game beyond the confines of mere sport.

And so with the dawning of a brand new season of the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE, Tracksounds is proud to present its latest special feature: THE THEMES OF FALL - MUSIC OF FOOTBALL AND FILM. In it we review some of the more recent scores written for football-centric feature films such as THE GRIDIRON GANG and RUDY. Also spotlighted is the music of NFL Films with a full review of the 10-disc compilation AUTUMN THUNDER and interview with current NFL FILMS composer, DAVID ROBIDOUX.

I hope this feature will stir those football-juices which may have gone flat over the last few months, but moreover I hope it will cause an ear to perk up as you hear the music behind the game this season and come to appreciate its part in this game.

You can check out the feature here.