1966 NFL Season
See also 1966 AFL Season.
As originally written by Tim Brulia:
The Atlanta Falcons begin play this season in the NFL.
One major item of note: The NFL and AFL agree to a full merger, effective with the 1970 season. However, both sides hurriedly agree to play a "World Championship" game between the NFL and AFL Champions at a neutral site. The first such game, officially entitled the "AFL-NFL World Championship Game" will be played at the end of this season. The stuffy title is ditched almost immediately by the media and fans alike for the more catchy "Super Bowl".
CBS featured a number of regular season games in color, stepping up from the sole regular season color telecast in 1965, including all postseason games. NBC would feature 40 games in color, including their three postseason telecasts. Likely color telecasts are noted as (C). Games televised in black & white are listed normally. MAJOR thanks to reganBuffalo for his assistance with the color and black & white telecast research.
National Television
PRESEASON
Friday 8/5: Packers-College All-Stars (Chicago), 9:00, ABC. Chris Schenkel, Terry Brennan, Johnny Lujack
Friday 8/12: Bears-Packers (Milwaukee), 8:30, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer
Friday 8/19: Colts-Cardinals, 8:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Frank Gifford
Friday 8/26: Colts-Browns, 9:30, CBS. Frank Glieber, Pat Summerall
Friday 9/2: Vikings-Cowboys, 8:00, CBS. Jack Buck, Jim Morse
NFL WEEK 1, 1966:
Saturday 9/10:
Colts-Packers (Milwaukee), 9:30, CBS. Ray Scott, Chuck Thompson, Pat Summerall
Sunday 9/11:
Bears-Lions, 1:30, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI). Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET).
Browns-Redskins, 1:30, CBS. Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE). Jim Gibbons, Eddie LeBaron (WSH).
Rams-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). (C)
Giants-Steelers, 1:30, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (C)
Eagles-Cardinals, 2:00, CBS. Stu Nahan, Tom Brookshier (PHI). Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL).
Vikings-49ers, 4:00, CBS. Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF).
Bye: Cowboys
Note:
BAL-GB was a national Saturday night telecast. Scott & Summerall calling the first half, Thompson and Summerall working the second half. It was a b/w telecast.
With Summerall working GB-BAL and with the Cowboys idle, Eddie LeBaron filled in for Summerall on the CLE-WSH game for Redskin viewers.
NFL WEEK 2, 1966:
Friday 9/16:
Bears-Rams, 11:15, WBBM 2 Chicago. Bruce Roberts, George Connor
Sunday 9/18:
Falcons-Eagles, 1:30, CBS. Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer
Lions-Steelers, 1:30, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius
Packers-Browns, 1:30, CBS. Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB). Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE). (C)
Redskins-Cardinals, 2:00, CBS. Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH). Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL).
Colts-Vikings, 2:30, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Joe Campanella (BAL). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN).
Giants-Cowboys, 3:30, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY). Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL). (C)
Bye: 49ers
NFL WEEK 3, 1966:
Sunday 9/25:
Falcons-Lions, 1:30, CBS. Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET).
Giants-Eagles, 1:30, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (C)
Cardinals-Browns, 1:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL). Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE).
Redskins-Steelers, 1:30, CBS. Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall
Rams-Packers, 2:00, CBS. Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA). Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB).
49ers-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF). Chuck Thompson, Joe Campanella (BAL) (C)
Vikings-Cowboys, 2:30, CBS. Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN). Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL) (C)
Bye: Bears
NFL WEEK 4, 1966:
Friday 9/30:
49ers-Rams, 11:00, KTVU 2-Bay Area. Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau
Sunday 10/2:
Browns-Giants, 1:30, CBS. Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY). (C)
Cowboys-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL).
Steelers-Redskins, 1:30, CBS. Joe Tucker, Lowell Perry (PGH). Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH).
Cardinals-Eagles, 1:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (C)
Lions-Packers, 2:00, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB).
Bears-Vikings, 2:30, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN).
Bye: Colts
Note:
With Lowell Perry as analyst for the PGH network, it is most likely that this is the first time ever an African-American was in the TV booth as on-air talent for a pro football telecast
NFL WEEK 5, 1966:
Saturday 10/8:
Steelers-Browns, 8:00, WIIC-11 Pittsburgh/PGH Regional. Joe Tucker, Lowell Perry
Sunday 10/9:
Falcons-Redskins, 1:30, CBS. Jim Gibbons, Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer
Colts-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, George Connor, Joe Campanella
Giants-Cardinals, 2:00, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY). Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL).(C)
Rams-Lions, 2:30, CBS. Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA). Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET).
Eagles-Cowboys, 2:30, CBS. Stu Nahan, Tom Brookshier (PHI). Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL).
Packers-49ers, 4:00, CBS. Ray Scott, Pat Summerall (National). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF).(C)
Bye: Vikings
Notes:
ATL-WSH: Pat Summerall called upon to work GB-SF doubleheader game with Ray Scott. CBS used single audio feed. Jim Gibbons with Sauer for first half and Thilenius with Sauer for second half. For much of the deep south, a little reassurance to hear Gibbons voice again.
BAL-CHI: BAL pxp man Chuck Thompson called upon by NBC to help with World Series coverage. CBS used single audio hook-up. Nelson working with normal partner Connor for first half and then worked with BAL analyst Campanella for second half.
GB-SF: Scott and feature analyst Summerall worked telecast for national viewing audience. CBS used local audio for SF network with Fouts and Soltau.
NFL WEEK 6, 1966:
Sunday 10/16:
Redskins-Giants, 1:15, CBS. Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY).(C)
Eagles-Steelers, 1:30, CBS. Stu Nahan, Tom Brookshier
49ers-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL).
Cowboys-Cardinals, 2:00, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL). Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL). (C)
Lions-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). Chuck Thompson, Joe Campanella (BAL).
Packers-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB). Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI).(C)
Rams-Vikings, 2:30, CBS. Gil Stratton,(C) Don Paul (LA). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN).
Bye: Browns
NFL WEEK 7, 1966:
Sunday 10/23:
Cowboys-Browns, 1:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL). Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE). (C)
Eagles-Giants, 1:30, CBS. Stu Nahan, Tom Brookshier (PHI). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY).(C)
Cardinals-Redskins, 1:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL). Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH).
Falcons-Packers (Milwaukee), 2:00, CBS. Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB).
Rams-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA). Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI).(C)
Vikings-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN). Chuck Thompson, Joe Campanella (BAL).
Lions-49ers, 4:00, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF).
Bye: Steelers
NFL WEEK 8, 1966:
Sunday 10/30:
Browns-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL).
Packers-Lions, 1:30, CBS. Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB). Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). (C)
Redskins-Eagles, 1:30, CBS. Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (C)
Steelers-Cowboys, 2:30, CBS. Joe Tucker, Lowell Perry (PGH). Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL). (C)
49ers-Vikings, 2:30, CBS. Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN).
Colts-Rams, 4:00, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Don Paul (C)
Monday 10/31:
Bears-Cardinals, 9:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Lindsey Nelson, Frank Gifford (C)
Bye: Giants
Notes:
BAL-LA was the doubleheader game, with BAL pxp man Thompson working with LA analyst Paul.
CHI-STL was a national Monday night telecast (except in STL). Drees and Gifford calling the first half, Nelson and Gifford doing the second half. This was almost certainly the first NFL prime time game ever televised in color.
NFL WEEK 9, 1966:
Sunday 11/6:
Browns-Steelers, 1:30, CBS. Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr
Cowboys-Eagles, 1:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron
Cardinals-Giants, 1:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY).(C)
Lions-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI).
Redskins-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH). Chuck Thompson, Joe Campanella (BAL).
Rams-49ers, 4:00, CBS. Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF).(C)
Vikings-Packers, 4:00, CBS. Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (1st half). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (2nd half).
Bye: Falcons
Note:
MIN-GB is the doubleheader game in B/W. Ray Scott and Tony Canadeo worked the first half, while Ray's brother Hal called the second half with Jim Morse as analyst.
NFL WEEK 10, 1966:
Sunday 11/13:
Colts-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Joe Campanella (BAL). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). (C)
Cowboys-Redskins, 1:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL). Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH). (C)
Eagles-Browns, 1:30, CBS. Stu Nahan, Tom Brookshier (PHI). Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE).(C)
Cardinals-Steelers, 1:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (C)
49ers-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF). Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI).
Lions-Vikings, 2:30, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN).
Giants-Rams, 4:00, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY). Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA).(C)
Bye: Packers
Note: NY-LA was the doubleheader game in color. It is likely that the Whitaker-Gifford audio was heard by viewing audiences in most of the country, while the Stratton-Paul call was heard by viewers all along the West Coast. However, this is not (yet) confirmed.
NFL WEEK 11, 1966:
Sunday 11/20:
Falcons-Giants, 1:30, CBS. Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY).(C)
Colts-Lions, 1:30, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Joe Campanella (BAL). Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET).
Cowboys-Steelers, 1:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (C)
Redskins-Browns, 1:30, CBS. Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH). Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE).
Bears-Packers, 2:00, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI). Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB).(C)
Vikings-Rams, 4:00, CBS. Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN). Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA).
Eagles-49ers, 4:00, CBS. Bob Fouts, Tom Brookshier, Chick Hearn (C)
Bye: Cardinals
Note:
PHI-SF was the national doubleheader telecast with a single audio feed. SF pxp Fouts worked with PHI analyst Brookshier, while Chick Hearn was called in for CBS Control duty.
NFL WEEK 12, 1966:
Thursday 11/24:
49ers-Lions, Noon, CBS. Van Patrick, Bob Fouts, Frank Gifford (C)
Browns-Cowboys, 6:00, CBS. Jack Buck, Frank Glieber, Pat Summerall (C)
Sunday 11/27:
Giants-Redskins, 1:30, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY). Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH).(C)
Falcons-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI).(C)
Rams-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA). Chuck Thompson, Jim Mutscheller (BAL).(C)
Steelers-Cardinals, 2:00, CBS. Joe Tucker, Tom Brookshier (PGH). Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL).
Packers-Vikings, 4:00, CBS. Hal Scott, Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo, Jim Morse (C)
Bye: Eagles
Notes:
The Thanksgiving Day "day/twilight" doubleheader were both in color. For SF-DET, Patrick and Gifford called the first half and Fouts and Gifford worked the second half. For CLE-DAL, Buck and Summerall on the call for the first half, Glieber and Summerall announcing the second half.
GB-MIN was the Sunday doubleheader telecast. Hal called the first half, Ray called the second half and Canadeo was analyst for the full game. Morse had CBS Control duties.
NFL WEEK 13, 1966:
Sunday 12/4:
Steelers-Eagles, 1:00, CBS. Joe Tucker, Tom Brookshier
Giants-Browns, 1:30, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY). Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr (CLE).(C)
Bears-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI). Chuck Thompson, Jim Mutscheller (BAL).(C)
49ers-Packers (Milawukee), 2:00, CBS. Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF). Ray Scott, Tony Canadeo (GB).
Falcons-Vikings, 2:30, CBS. Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN).
Lions-Rams, 4:00, CBS. Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). Gil Stratton, Don Paul (LA).
Cardinals-Cowboys, 4:00, CBS. Jack Buck, Jack Drees, Pat Summerall (C)
Bye: Redskins
Note:
STL-DAL main doubleheader game with Buck & LeBaron working the first half and Drees & LeBaron calling the second half.
NFL WEEK 14, 1966:
Saturday 12/10:
Packers-Colts, 3:15, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Ray Scott, Frank Gifford (C)
Sunday 12/11:
Browns-Eagles, 1:00, CBS. Frank Glieber, Warren Lahr
Vikings-Lions, 1:30, CBS. Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN). Van Patrick, Sonny Grandelius (DET). (C)
Steelers-Giants, 1:30, CBS. Joe Tucker, Tom Brookshier (PGH). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY).(C)
Cardinals-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Jack Drees, Bill McPeak (STL). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL).(C)
Bears-49ers, 4:00, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI). Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF). (C)
Redskins-Cowboys, 4:00, CBS. Jack Buck, Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall, Eddie LeBaron (C)
Bye: Rams
Notes:
GB-BAL was a Saturday afternoon national telecast. Thompson & Gifford worked the first half, Scott and Gifford calling the second half.
WSH-DAL was the Sunday doubleheader game, with Buck & Summerall on the call for the first half, Gibbons and Summerall calling the second half. Eddie LeBaron likely in CBS Control.
NFL WEEK 15, 1966:
Saturday 12/17:
Browns-Cardinals, 4:15, CBS. Jack Drees, Frank Glieber, Pat Summerall (C)
Sunday 12/18:
Cowboys-Giants, 1:30, CBS. Jack Buck, Eddie LeBaron (DAL). Jack Whitaker, Frank Gifford (NY).(C)
Eagles-Redskins, 1:30, CBS. Stu Nahan, Tom Brookshier (PHI). Jim Gibbons, Pat Summerall (WSH).(C)
Steelers-Falcons, 1:30, CBS. Joe Tucker, Bill McPeak (PGH). Ed Thilenius, Johnny Sauer (ATL). (C)
Vikings-Bears, 2:00, CBS. Hal Scott, Jim Morse (MIN). Lindsey Nelson, George Connor (CHI).
Colts-49ers, 4:00, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Jim Mutscheller (BAL), Bob Fouts, Gordie Soltau (SF). (C)
Packers-Rams, 4:00, CBS. Ray Scott, Don Paul, Gil Stratton (C)
Bye: Lions
Notes:
CLE-STL was a Saturday national telecast with Drees & Summerall doing the first half, Glieber and Summerall announcing the second half.
GB-LA was the Sunday doubleheader game. Scott and Paul calling the full telecast and Stratton in CBS Control.
1966 NFL Championship:
Sunday 1/1: Packers-Cowboys, 4:00, CBS. Jack Buck (1st half), Ray Scott (2nd half), Pat Summerall, Frank Gifford, Jack Whitaker (C)
Playoff Bowl in Miami:
Sunday 1/8: Eagles-Colts, 2:00, CBS. Chuck Thompson, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts (C)
Super Bowl I in Los Angeles:
Sunday 1/15:
Chiefs-Packers, 4:00, CBS. Ray Scott (1st half), Jack Whitaker (2nd half), Frank Gifford, Pat Summerall (C)
4:00, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Paul Christman, Charlie Jones (C)
NFL Pro Bowl in Los Angeles:
Sunday 1/22: East-West, 4:00, CBS. Lindsey Nelson, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Gil Stratton (C)
Local TV Crews
Originally written by garretta
Now for television in the East:
Browns: The Cleveland CBS station is WJW-TV. In addition to the regular-season schedule, it will televise the August 14 exhibition game. Sponsors will be Schmidts Beer, Retail Clerks International, Doraty Rambler, and Rezepka Construction Company. Frank Giieber and Warren Lahr will call the games in CBS; there's nothing specific about the exhibition game. WJW will also show the network telecast of the August 26 home preseason game against the Colts. Kickoff is at 9:30 PM Eastern, with Frank Glieber and Pat Summerall calling the action.
Cowboys: The Dallas CBS station is KRLD-TV. It will televise five exhibition games; two will be live (August 7 and 27) and three will be on tape (August 13 and 20, September 2). Lone Star Beer has bought a quarter of each game, with the rest of the spots sold locally. Frank Glieber will call all five games. Jack Buck and Eddie LeBaron will call the regular season schedule. KRLD will also air the network telecast of the Cowboys' home preseason game against the Vikings on September 2. Kickoff is at 8PM Eastern, with Buck being joined by Vikings analyst Jim Morse.
Giants: The New York CBS station is WCBS-TV. It will carry three taped exhibition games and one live game. New York Telephone, First National City Bank, and Shearson Hammill Brokers will each sponsor a quarter of each game, with one quarter still open, Jack Whitaker and Frank Gifford will call the action on all TV games.
Steelers: The Pittsburgh CBS station is KDKA-TV. There will be no local preseason coverage. Joe Tucker and Lowell Perry will call the regular-season games. During the regular season, the Steeler Profile pregame show will be hosted by Bob Prince.
WIIC (Channel 11) will televise the team's Week 5 contest against the Browns in Cleveland on Saturday night, October 8. Kickoff is at 8PM Eastern, with Tucker and Perry on the call. Our research says the following stations received the game:
WIIC-Pittsburgh WHP-Harrisburg WLYH-Lancaster-Lebanon WSBA-York WCHS-Charleston, WV WBOY-Clarksburg WV WTAP-Parkersburg, WV WHIO-Dayton, OH WSTV-Steubenville, OH WTOL, Toledo, OH WOKR- Rochester, NY
(According to our research, Perry was most likely the first African-American on-air talent for a network football telecast. His debut came on October 2 in Washington. Unfortunately, he only worked Weeks 4, 5, and 8 before his duties as a corporate lawyer for Chrysler forced him to leave. Tommy Brookshier came over from the Eagles to work alongside Joe Tucker in Weeks 12-14. For those who are curious, the Eagles were on a bye in Week 12, the Steelers-Eagles game in Week 13 used only a single audio feed, and the Eagles were home and blacked out against the Browns in Week 14.)
Eagles: The Philadelphia CBS station is WCAU-TV. It will show five exhibition games on tape, with Tom Brookshier calling the play-by=play ad Eagles coach Joe Kuharich handling color. Ballantine Beer will sponsor one quarter of each exhibition game; the rest will be sold locally. Brookshier moves to color for regular season games, with Stu Nahan doing play-by-play.
Redskins: The Washington CBS station is WTOP-TV. It will carry exhibition games on August 20 and 26. Ford, Liggett and Myers, and National Brewing will each sponsor a quarter of each game; the other quarter is still open. Prior to each regular season game, WTOP will air the fifteen-minute Otto Graham Show, featuring an interview with the Redskins' coach and film highlights of previous games. The show will be sponsored by J.P. Stevens and Giant Food Stores. Jim Gibbons and Bill McColgan will call the exhibition games; Pat Summerall replaces McColgan for the regular season.
Falcons: The Atlanta CBS station is WAGA- TV. In July. Eastern Air Lines will sponsor Falcon Flight Facts, a series of four weekly half-hour color specials from the team's North Carolina training camp. WAGA will air two exhibition games on August 6 and 13. Ed Thilenius will call the action; there's no mention of a color commentator. Sponsors are Allstate Insurance, Eastern Air Lines, Standard Oil, Kahn's Meats, and Kentucky Fried Chicken, Southern Spring Bed has bought time on the August 6 game, and American Tire Company has bought time on the August 13 game.
During the season, there will be a half-hour Saturday program in color with Falcons coach Norb Hecker called The Norb Hecker Show, which will feature an interview with the coach plus film highlights of the last game. It will be co-sponsored by Carling Brewing and Eastern Air Lines. Before each game, there will be a fifteen-minute color pregame show with Thilenius called Falcon Facts that will be sponsored by Irwindale Dairies. Thilenius will call the regular season games, with Johnny Sauer on color.
Cardinals: The St. Louis CBS station is KMOX-TV. During the regular season, it will air a pregame show called Big Red Huddle. Household Finance will sponsor two-thirds; J.P. Stevens will sponsor one-third.
KMOX will also air five preseason games on a tape-delayed basis; the game to be played on August 19 and shown on August 21 (a CBS network telecast against the Colts) will be televised in color. Falstaff Beer will sponsor one half of each game; the rest will be sold to participating advertisers. Jack Drees and Bill McPeak will call all televised games except for the August 19 preseason game, when Frank Gifford will replace McPeak.
49ers: KYVU-TV will carry two preseason games plus the September 30 game against the Rams in Los Angeles. Kickoff time for the Rams game is 8:15 Pacific. The preseason games will be carried on August 30 and September 3. Standard Oil will sponsor half of all three games. For the preseason games, Household Finance will also sponsor a quarter; the remaining quarter is divided between General Brewing Company and United Air Lines. Bob Fouts and Gordie Soltau will call the action for all games. The Bay Area CBS station is KPIX-TV.
Vikings: The Minneapolis CBS station is WCCO-TV. It will air four preseason games; the games on August 6, 13, and 26 will be aired live, while the game on August 20 will be taped and aired the following day. Twin Cities Federal will sponsor half of each game; Hamm's Beer and Blue Cross will each sponsor a quarter. Hal Scott and Bob McNamara will call the preseason games; Jim Morse will replace McNamara for the regular season. WCCO will also air the CBS telecast of the Vikes' visit to Dallas on September 2.
Lions: The Detroit CBS station is WJBK-TV. It will head a network that will air three preseason games; game dates are August 6, 21, and 27. Sponsors on WJBK will be Altes Beer, Bank of the Commonwealth, Marathon Oil, and Ford. Van Patrick and Sonny Grandelius will call the action for all games. WJIM-TV Lansing has been signed to the network; negotiations are ongoing at press time for WKNX-TV Saginaw-Bay City-Flint and WKZO-TV Kalamazoo.
Rams: The Los Angeles CBS station is KNXT-TV. It will air four preseason games on a tape-delayed basis, Broadcast dates are August 14, 21, and 28 as well as September 4. Sponsors include Hamm's Beer, Shell Oil, Allstate Insurance, and the Volkswagen Dealers Association, Before each game, KNXT will carry Inside Football with Rams coach George Allen. It will be sponsored by Montgomery Ward and Hormel and Company, Gil Stratton and Don Paul will call all games.
Colts: The Baltimore CBS station is WMAR-TV. During the season, it will air two fifteen-minute pregame shows in color: Football Preview with Jim Mutscheller will be sponsored by Norelco, while Inside Football with Bob Williams will be sponsored by Coca-Cola, WMAR will also air two preseason games. One will be on August 13, the other on September 1. Western Electric and National Beer will be co-sponsors. Bill O'Donnell and Joe Campanella will call the preseason games; Chuck Thompson will replace O'Donnell in the regular season. (Prior to Week 12, Campanella was named general manager of the Colts. Mutscheller replaced him in the booth for the rest of the year.)
WMAR will also air the CBS network telecasts of two Colts preseason games: August 19 in St Louis against the Cardinals (kickoff at 8:30 PM Eastern) and August 26 in Cleveland against the Browns.
Packers: The Green Bay CBS station is WBAY-TV. It will head a seven-station Wisconsin network that will air three preseason games on a one-day tape delay. Game dates are August 20 and 27 as well as September 3. Sponsors on WBAY-TV are Hamm's Beer, the local Ford Dealers, Savings and Loan Association, and Curtis Mathes television sets. WBAY has also packaged The Vince Lombardi Show for airing by some or all network stations in previous years. but no such plans for this year were final at press time. Ray Scott and Tony Canadeo will call all televised games. WBAY will also air the network telecast of the August 12 preseason game at County Stadium in Milwaukee against the Bears. Kickoff is at 8:30 PM Eastern, with Lindsey Nelson and Johnny Sauer on the call.
The Packers will also appear in the College All-Star Game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Friday, August 5. It will be nationally televised by ABC, with kickoff at 9PM Eastern. Chris Schenkel, Terry Brennan, and Johnny Lujack will call the action.
Bears: The Chicago CBS station is WBBM-TV. It will carry three preseason games on a two-hour tape delay. Game dates are August 6, August 20, and September 3. Heilman Brewing will sponsor one quarter of each game; the rest will be sold locally. WBBM will also carry the Bears-Rams game from Los Angeles on September 16. Kickoff time is 10:15 PM Central. Bruce Roberts will call play-by-play for these games, with George Connor providing color. Lindsey Nelson will replace Roberts for all other games. WBBM will also air the CBS telecast of the Bears' August 12 preseason game against the Packers at Milwaukee's County Stadium.
Prior to each regular season game, WBBM will air a film highlight show called Eye on the NFL. Local sponsors are J.P. Stevens, Portable Electric Tool Company, and Hormel Chili.
Local Radio Crews
Originally written by garretta
Now it's time to examine 1966 in the NFL's Eastern Division. We begin with radio:
Cowboys: KLIF-AM remains the team's flagship station, but the team is producing the games and selling its own advertising. The network will consist of more than thirty stations that will carry all scheduled games. There are no network sponsors, and pre- and postgame features were still pending at press time. Household Finance will sponsor one-third of each game on both KLIF and KFJZ Fort Worth. Other sponsors on KLIF are Hanes Hosiery, Oak Farms Sparkle Ice Cream, and W.O. Bankston Oldsmobile. Bill Mercer will call the play-by-play.
Browns: WERE-AM is in the second year of a three-year contract. It will lead a network of more than fifty stations in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts, Because of conflicts with Clevland Indians baseball on WERE, WGAR-AM will carry the exhibition games on August 14 and 26 as well as the first four regular-season games. Game sponsors signed at press time include Carling Brewing, Sun Oil, General Cigar, and Midwest Volkswagen. Gib Shanley and Jim Graner will call the action. WGAR will carry both halves of the exhibition doubleheader on August 26.
Pregame features include Sideline Interviews, sponsored by Alitalia Airlines; The Blanton Collier Show, sponsored by Arby's Restaurants; and In The Huddle, sponsored by Majestic Homes. Postgame features include Scoreboard, sponsored by Retail Clerks International and Harry Weintraub Clothes; Second Guess, sponsored by Greater Plymouth Dealers (I'm guessing that was supposed to be Greater Cleveland Plymouth Dealers); and Scoreboard Final, presented by Brush Furniture. Pigskin Playback has also been renewed and will again be sponsored by Red Barn Restaurants.
Atlanta Falcons: WQXI-AM heads a network of seventy-five stations that will carry all scheduled games. Jack Hurst will call the play-by-play, with Rod Erickson handling color. Erickson will also host fifteen-minute pre-and postgame shows with Bill Conover. Sponsors include P. Lorillard, Davison's Department Stores, Italian Swiss Colony Wines, and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Redskins: WMAL-AM has signed a two-year contract to be the team's flagship station. It heads a thirty-three-station network that will broadcast all fourteen regular-season games plus four exhibition games. Ballantine Beer will sponsor a quarter of each game on the network, with the rest of the games sold locally. Sponsors on WMAL include the Mid-Atlantic Dodge Dealers and Washington Gas Light Company. P. Lorillard will be one of the sponsors of the other quarter. Steve Gilmartin and Chuck Drazenovich are your announcers. There will also be two ten-minute pregame shows on WMAL: The Bobby Mitchell Show sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and The Sam Huff Show sponsored by Thompson Honor Dairy.
Eagles: WCAU-AM is in the third year of a five-year contract to be the team's flagship, The network has expanded from fifteen stations last year to eighteen this year, covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It will carry all scheduled games. Sponsors signed at press time are Sun Oil, Plymouth, and Schmidts Brewing. Andy Musser and Charlie Gauer will call the action. The ten-minute ore- and postgame shows will each be sponsored by Household Finance. Jack McKinney and Bill Campbell will host these programs.
Cardinals: KMOX-AM will lead a network of more than fifty stations in eight states. Falstaff Beer, which owns the team's radio rights, will sponsor half of each game, with the other half sold locally. Kroger and General Finance will each sponsor a quarter on KMOX. The pregame Coaches Corner will be sponsored by the local Dodge Dealers, and Big Red Traffic Watch, which airs both before and after games, will be sponsored by Stix Baer and Fuller Department Stores, Kudis Funeral Home, and Castles Wilson Buick, The postgame Star of the Game show will be sponsored by Goddard Motors. Jay Randolph and Ray Geracy will describe the action.
(Note: Due to a printing error in the Giants portion of the article, some of the information is incomplete.)
Giants: There will be two separate feeds for each game: one for local flagship station WNEW-AM and the other for an eighty-five-station network formed by the C&U Broadcasting Company (formerly the Ivy Broadcasting Company). Ballantine Beer will sponsor a quarter of the C&U broadcasts, and spots have also been sold to Volvo and Mohawk Airlines. The pre- and postgame shows are fully open to either local or network sale. Ted Brown will call the play-by-play, with Woody Erdman and Ted Hodge handling color. Erdman will be joined by Don Smith on the pregame show, and Smith will also host the postgame Locker Room Report.
Game sponsors on WNEW are Manufacturers Hanover Trust, Ballantine Beer, Howard Clothes, and Liggett and Myers. Marty Glickman, Kyle Rote, and Al DeRogatis will call the games. Rote will host the pregame Pro Football Preview and co-host the postgame Locker Room Report with DeRogatis, which will be sponsored by Schraffts and Volvo. The pregame and halftime shows will be sponsored by Sinclair Oil, Schraffts. Volvo, and the New York Daily News. Additional sponsors for the postgame show are Hermans (presumably the sporting goods store), Coty (makeup manufacturers), and Standard Brands.
Steelers: KDKA-AM will be the team's flagship station for the third year in a row. It will head a thirty-one-station network in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia that will carry all scheduled games. Tom Bender and Jack Fleming will describe the action. Half of each game will be sponsored on the network, with the other half available for local sale. The network sponsors are Carling Brewing and Sun Oil. Bender and Fleming will also host the fifteen-minute pre- and postgame shows, which will each be sponsored by Household Finance.
Steelers head coach Bill Austin will do a weekly fifteen-minute show to be aired at various times om the network. It will be sponsored on KDKA by American General Life Insurance Company. (When the article says that Austin's show will air at various times on the network, I assume that it means "on each individual network station".
Colts: WCBM-AM will feed the entire schedule to a twenty-four-station network in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. Sponsors on WCBM include National Brewing, Commercial Credit Corporation, the local Plymouth Dealers, Baltimore Sunpapers (could this be the Baltimore Sun?), Humble Oil, Coca-Cola, and Utz Potato Chips. National Brewing will also sponsor half of each game in the network. Frank Messer, Bill O'Donnell, and Jim Karvellas will call the games. Messer will also host a fifteen-minute pregame show, which is still unsold. The fifteen-minute postgame show with Jimmy Orr will be sold locally. on WCBM it will be sponsored by D & H Distributing.
Bears: WGN-AM will once again be the team's sole radio outlet. It will carry three preseason games and all fourteen regular season games. American Oil Company's Standard Oil Division will sponsor half of each game, while Heilman Brewing will sponsor the other half. (American Oil has ow sponsored the Bears for over twenty years.) The pregame show will be sponsored by Robert Hall Clothes, and the postgame Scoreboard will be sponsored by Household Finance. WGN will also air Pigskin Playback, sponsored by Red Barn Restaurants, after every game.
Packers: WTMJ-AM Milwaukee heads a network of half a dozen Wisconsin stations plus fifteen to twenty stations outside the state. All games will be broadcast. Thorp Finance will sponsor half of each game on the network, with Blatz Beer taking one of the remaining quarters and Employers Mutual of Wausau the other, WTMJ also has a pregame show called Packer Review, sponsored by Humble Oil, and a postgame show called Packer Scoreboard, sponsored by the Milwaukee Chrysler Dealers. Ted Moore and Blaine Walsh will call the action,
Vikings: WCCO-AM heads a thirty-station network that will carry all scheduled games. This is the third year of a three-year contract. North Star Features remains the packager. All ads are sold locally; on WCCO the games will be sponsored the Northwest Ford Dealers and Minneapolis Federal Savings and Loan. The Norm Van Brocklin Show, featuring the Vikings' coach. will be heard before each game and sponsored by Minnesota Coca-Cola Bottling Company. The postgame Scoreboard show will be sponsored by Quarterback Men's Toiletries. Ray Christiansen and Paul Giel will call the action,
49ers: KSFO-AM will head a fifteen-station network in California, Nevada, and Hawaii that will carry all scheduled games. Sponsors are United Vintners (third year), Household Finance (third year), Standard Oil Company of California (fifth year), and the local Chrysler-Plymouth Dealers (fourth year). The fifteen-minute pregame show will be sponsored by New Century Beverages; the fifteen-minute postgame show will be sponsored by Armour and Company. Lon Summons, Russ Hodges, and Hugh McElhenny will call the action. (The article lists Bob Fouts as part of the radio team, but he was busy with TV every time the Niners played. He wouldn't have had time for even a cameo appearance,)
Lions: WJR-AM heads a thirty-five-station network that will carry all scheduled games. Because WJR is committed to air Detroit Tigers baseball games through October 2, all preseason games and the first four regular-season games will be heard on WWJ-AM in Detroit. Marathon Oil holds the team's local radio rights and will sponsor half of each game; the other half will be sponsored by DWG Cigar, Altes Beer, and Lincoln-Mercury. Bob Reynolds will call the play-by-play, while Ray Lane handles color.
There will be two pregame shows and two postgame shows on WJR: first will be the pregame Lions Den. Half of the show will be sponsored by Maccabees Mutual; the other half is unsold. The other pregame show ix lLions Press Box, which will be sponsored by Household Finance. HFC will also sponsor the postgame Scores and Highlights show. Finally, Pigskin Playback will be sponsored by the Detroit Auto Dealers Insurance Exchange.
Rams: For the eighteenth consecutive year, KMPC-AM will serve as the Rams' flagship station. It will head an eighteen-station network in California, Nevada. and Arizona. Standard Oil of California is a sponsor for the eleventh straight year; it has bought a quarter of each game. Other sponsors are Household Finance, Schlitz Beer and Kellogg's. Because of KMPC's commitment to air California Angels baseball, four early season Rams' games will be carried on KABC-AM. For one of those games, which aired August 6, Standard Oil's portion of the game was taken by Mallory Battery. Bob Kelley and Dick Enberg will describe the action. The fifteen-minute pregame show, Rams Warmup, will be sponsored on KMPC by Kentucky Fried Chicken. The fifteen-minute postgame show, Rams Report, will be sponsored by Western Air Lines.