CBS Celebrates 50 Years of ‘The NFL Today’ with Special Episode

NEW YORK, NY — CBS is set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its flagship sports show, “The NFL Today,” during a special episode this Sunday at noon ET. The show first aired in 1975, and its revamp that year marked a significant shift in sports broadcasting.

This anniversary episode will feature longtime host Brent Musburger, who helmed the show from 1975 to 1990, alongside regular cast members James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher, and Matt Ryan. The production will embrace a nostalgic feel, with the set and graphics reflecting the style of the 1970s, when hits like “Love Will Keep Us Together” ruled the charts and films like “The Godfather II” claimed Oscars.

CBS has promised throwback elements throughout its NFL coverage that day. Fans can also catch highlights on CBS Sports HQ, CBSSports.com, and their social media channels, including Instagram and YouTube, in case they miss the live airing.

The idea for this nostalgic tribute emerged last February, shortly after Super Bowl LIX. During a wrap-up meeting, CBS Sports senior vice president of programming Dan Weinberg proposed a throwback episode, which sparked discussions among the production team. According to Drew Kaliski, The NFL Today’s lead producer, the crew spent hours researching 1970s visuals to authentically recreate the original aesthetic.

“You start with the obvious — you want your screen to look like that timeframe,” Kaliski said. “We’ll even have graphics that look intentionally dated.”

In 1975, the show was groundbreaking for integrating entertainment with sports coverage. It featured Musburger, former Miss America Phyllis George, and NFL defensive back Irv Cross, who broke barriers as the first woman and first Black man on a live sports studio show.

Kaliski noted that the original program set a precedent with its innovative approaches to player interaction and pregame analysis, presenting live segments directly from stadiums, which had never been done before.

The show’s enduring popularity is demonstrated by its average viewership of over 3 million. “As a kid, watching Brent and the crew, I remember those iconic moments,” Kaliski said. “It’s an honor to bring that nostalgia back for fans on Sunday.”