A half-century ago, Brent Musburger turned the NFL pregame show into a signature sports media property for the first time as the face of The NFL Today for CBS Sports.
The network will celebrate that show’s 50th anniversary during Week 3 of the upcoming NFL season with a tribute show that will see Musburger join the show’s current cast in-studio. Paramount announced the anniversary show this week at a media event previewing the upcoming NFL season.
The tribute, slated for Sept. 21, will feature original graphics and music packages as well as a virtual recreation of the original NFL Today set from 1975. And Musburger will be on-set alongside James Brown, Bill Cowher, Nate Burleson and Matt Ryan.
Per Paramount:
The NFL on CBS will also feature throwback themes throughout Week 3 game coverage, with flashback clips and musical elements throughout the day. Additionally, as part of their own throwback celebrations, several NFL clubs have announced that they will be wearing throwback uniforms in Week 3 including the New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The NFL Today is turning back the clock Week 3 💫
We’ve got something special planned for the show’s 50th anniversary 👀 pic.twitter.com/udlUSgL8c6
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) August 12, 2025
Musburger, 86, recently resurfaced in the NBC broadcast booth for the Hall of Fame game. The legendary broadcaster has stayed busy late in life, founding and hosting on the sports betting platform VSiN and calling Las Vegas Raiders games on radio until recently. Now, it appears the NFL media is eager to celebrate his legacy.
The NFL Today really hit its stride starting in 1976, when Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder joined Musburger, Irv Cross and Phyllis George. The Musburger-Snyder pairing gave birth to the catch phrase “You are looking live” and is seen as the first major mainstream sports betting commentary on television.
But it is Musburger who shepherded the show through the 1989 season and made it an institution. Now, he will be honored by his former network as part of an extensive celebration this NFL season.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.