History of The NFL Today in Timeline

The NFL Today is CBS's pre-game show for its NFL broadcasts, airing under the NFL on CBS brand. Originating in 1961 as Pro Football Kickoff, it previews the day's NFL games with news, analysis, predictions, and interviews. The program, which typically runs for an hour, is hosted by studio analysts who also provide commentary during game updates, halftime reports, and postgame shows.

September 15, 1961: Debut of Pro Football Kickoff

On September 15, 1961, CBS debuted "Pro Football Kickoff," the first remote 15-minute pre-game show on network sports television, hosted by Johnny Lujack and originating from NFL stadiums around the country with a comprehensive look at the day's games.

1962: NFL Kickoff hosted by Kyle Rote

In 1962, Kyle Rote took over hosting duties of NFL Kickoff.

1963: NFL Kickoff hosted by Kyle Rote

In 1963, Kyle Rote continued to host NFL Kickoff.

September 13, 1964: Frank Gifford hosts NFL Report

On September 13, 1964, Frank Gifford began hosting the renamed "NFL Report", later retitled "The NFL Today" during that season. This 15-minute regional sports program featured interviews with NFL players and coaches, along with news and features about the league.

1967: The NFL Today expands

In 1967, "The NFL Today" expanded to a 30-minute format preceding game coverage.

September 20, 1970: Women Join The NFL Today

On September 20, 1970, Marjorie Margolies and Carole Howey joined The NFL Today, pioneering women in sports broadcasting. Margolies produced and reported features, while Howey also reported for the program.

1970: Throwback theme for 50th anniversary

In 2025, The NFL Today featured a 1970s throwback theme, celebrating the program's history as part of its 50th anniversary special.

1971: Jack Whitaker and Pat Summerall take over hosting duties

In 1971, Jack Whitaker and Pat Summerall took over hosting duties on the program from Frank Gifford, who left CBS.

1973: The NFL Today moves to New York

In 1973, The NFL Today began originating from CBS' New York City studios and included reports from stadiums around the country.

1974: The NFL on CBS Debuts

In 1974, CBS replaced the pre-recorded NFL Today broadcast with a live, wraparound style program titled The NFL on CBS. On September 15, the revamped program debuted with a new three-segment format.

September 21, 1975: The NFL Today reinstated

On September 21, 1975, the program reinstated its previous NFL Today title, with Brent Musburger as host, Irv Cross as an analyst, and Phyllis George as a reporter.

1976: Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder joins The NFL Today

In 1976, sports bookie Jimmy Snyder, also known as "The Greek," joined The NFL Today.

1978: Jayne Kennedy replaces Phyllis George

In 1978, former Miss Ohio USA Jayne Kennedy replaced Phyllis George on The NFL Today.

1979: Sports Emmy Award

In 1979, The NFL Today received a Sports Emmy Award at its inaugural event.

1980: Phyllis George returns

In 1980, Phyllis George returned to The NFL Today.

1981: Three Separate Live Programs

By 1981, The NFL Today began producing three separate live pre-game, halftime, and postgame programs for different game times.

1983: Charlsie Cantey replaces Phyllis George

In 1983, Charlsie Cantey replaced Phyllis George on The NFL Today after George went on parental leave.

January 16, 1988: Jimmy Snyder dismissed

On January 16, 1988, Jimmy Snyder was dismissed by CBS Sports after making controversial comments.

1989: End of the 1989 NFL season

After the 1989 NFL season, major changes occurred at The NFL Today.

April 1, 1990: Musburger fired, Cross demoted

On April 1, 1990, Brent Musburger was fired, and Irv Cross was demoted.

1992: Marjorie Margolies elected to Congress

In 1992, Marjorie Margolies, who produced and reported features for The NFL Today in 1970, was elected to Congress from Pennsylvania.

December 18, 1993: Fox acquires NFC broadcast rights

On December 18, 1993, the NFL awarded Fox a four-year contract for the broadcast television rights to the National Football Conference (NFC).

1993: Nantz fills in for Gumbel

During the 1993 season, Jim Nantz filled in for Greg Gumbel on The NFL Today, while Gumbel was broadcasting the American League Championship Series.

January 23, 1994: CBS airs its final NFC telecast

On January 23, 1994, CBS aired its final NFC telecast, marking the end of The NFL Today's original run.

1994: CBS loses NFL broadcast rights

In 1994, CBS lost the broadcast rights to Fox, ending The NFL Today's 18-year run as the highest-rated program in its time slot.

September 6, 1998: The NFL Today relaunches

On September 6, 1998, The NFL Today relaunched after 1,687 days, with Jim Nantz as host and analysts Marcus Allen, Brent Jones, and George Seifert.

1998: The NFL Today returns to CBS

In 1998, The NFL Today returned to CBS after the network signed a contract with the NFL to acquire the broadcast rights to televise games from the American Football Conference (AFC).

1999: Bernstein moves to sideline reporting

In 1999, Bonnie Bernstein transitioned from reporter for The NFL Today to a sideline reporting role.

2000: Visser returns to The NFL Today

In 2000, Lesley Visser returned to CBS Sports/The NFL Today as a feature reporter after a six-year hiatus and Mike Ditka joined the program as an analyst.

2000: Move to Outdoor Studio

In 2000, The NFL Today moved part-time to a new outdoor studio at the General Motors Building in Manhattan during the fall. During the winter, the show was broadcast indoors from Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center.

2001: Reboot with Marino and Esiason

After the 2001 season, The NFL Today was rebooted with Dan Marino and Boomer Esiason joining Jim Nantz and Deion Sanders.

2001: Deion Sanders joins as an analyst

In 2001, Deion Sanders was added as an analyst to The NFL Today.

2003: New Theme Music

At the start of the 2003 NFL season, CBS Sports introduced Posthumus Zone as the new theme music for The NFL Today and for the network's NFL game telecasts.

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2004: Bernstein returns to The NFL Today

In 2004, Bonnie Bernstein returned to The NFL Today.

2004: Sanders leaves, Nantz promoted

In 2004, Deion Sanders left The NFL Today, and Jim Nantz was promoted to lead play-by-play broadcaster.

2004: Visser leaves The NFL Today

In 2004, Lesley Visser left The NFL Today to become the lead reporter for top NFL games.

2005: Rise to Glory featured

During the 2005 NFL season, the song "Rise to Glory" was featured on The NFL Today and on CBS' NFL broadcasts.

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2005: Bernstein leaves again

In 2005, Bonnie Bernstein left The NFL Today again.

2005: Broadcast from Studio 43

In 2005, The NFL Today broadcast from Studio 43 for the entire season, abandoning the outdoor set.

February 6, 2006: James Brown returns to CBS

On February 6, 2006, CBS Sports announced that James Brown would return as the host of The NFL Today, beginning with the 2006 NFL season.

June 2006: Sam Ryan joins CBS Sports

In June 2006, Sam Ryan joined CBS Sports as a reporter for The NFL Today.

2006: Rise to Glory

In 2006, "Posthumus Zone" and a remixed version titled "Rise to Glory" were included on E.S. Posthumus's second CD release, Rise to Glory.

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2006: James Brown becomes host

In 2006, James Brown became the host of The NFL Today.

2006: Visser returns to The NFL Today

In 2006, Lesley Visser returned to The NFL Today in her previous role as a feature reporter.

2006: Broadcasts in High Definition

In 2006, The NFL Today began broadcasting in high-definition television and introduced a new HD-ready set at Studio 43.

2007: Bill Cowher joins as analyst

In 2007, Bill Cowher joined The NFL Today as a fifth studio analyst.

2010: Sam Ryan leaves CBS

In 2010, Sam Ryan left CBS after working as a reporter for The NFL Today.

2012: Brown's comments on domestic violence

In 2012, James Brown digressed on The NFL Today about the role men need to take in the fight against domestic violence, following the Jovan Belcher tragedy.

2013: The NFL Today switches to widescreen

In 2013, The NFL Today transitioned to a 16x9 widescreen presentation, extending graphics beyond the 4:3 safe area. CBS required cable providers to use the #10 Active Format Description tag for letterboxing on standard-definition feeds.

February 5, 2014: CBS to broadcast Thursday Night Games

On February 5, 2014, the NFL and CBS agreed to broadcast Thursday night games during the first eight weeks of the NFL season. These games would be simulcast with NFL Network, with the remainder airing exclusively on NFL Network. CBS added an additional NFL Today broadcast for the games from the game site, featuring Brown and Cowher on both Thursday and Sunday broadcasts. Deion Sanders returned as an analyst for the Thursday editions, while Esiason, Gonzalez and Scott remained on the Sunday broadcasts.

February 18, 2014: Sharpe and Marino replaced

On February 18, 2014, CBS Sports announced that Shannon Sharpe and Dan Marino were relieved of their duties as on-air commentators on 'The NFL Today'. They were replaced by Tony Gonzalez and Bart Scott.

September 11, 2014: Brown addresses domestic violence controversy

On September 11, 2014, during the first Thursday edition of The NFL Today, James Brown addressed the domestic violence controversy involving Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice. Brown spoke with CBS News anchor Scott Pelley and CBS News correspondent Norah O'Donnell, and also presented a taped interview with Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. Brown updated his 2012 digression about domestic violence, noting the lack of progress in addressing the issue.

2014: CBS partners with NFL Network

In 2014, CBS partnered with the NFL Network to air selected Thursday Night Football games. The NFL GameDay crew appeared in segments on The NFL Today on Thursdays and Sundays.

2017: End of CBS-NFL Network partnership

In 2017, CBS ended its partnership with the NFL Network for airing Thursday Night Football games. During the partnership, the NFL GameDay crew appeared on The NFL Today on Thursdays and Sundays.

2017: Scott and Gonzalez depart, Simms and Burleson join

Prior to the 2017 season, Bart Scott and Tony Gonzalez left The NFL Today. Phil Simms and Nate Burleson replaced them. Gonzalez joined Fox's pregame coverage, and Simms was demoted from CBS's lead color commentator after Tony Romo was hired.

2023: J. J. Watt joins The NFL Today

In the 2023 season, former defensive end J. J. Watt joined The NFL Today as an analyst. Additionally, Esiason and Simms departed the network as their contracts expired at the end of the 2023 season.

2024: On-site broadcasts of The NFL Today trialed

After a trial for two regular season games in the 2024 season, CBS announced that The NFL Today would broadcast on-site from selected regular season games throughout the season.

2024: Matt Ryan joins The NFL Today

In 2024, former quarterback Matt Ryan joined The NFL Today program as an analyst.

September 21, 2025: The NFL Today celebrates 50th anniversary

On September 21, 2025, The NFL Today broadcast a special edition to mark its 50th anniversary, featuring a 1970's throwback theme. Brent Musburger made a one-off return as a guest panelist.

2025: Current Crew of The NFL Today

As of 2025, the crew of The NFL Today consists of James Brown as the host, along with analysts Bill Cowher, Nate Burleson, and Matt Ryan.

2025: Watt becomes CBS color commentator, Schein takes over in-game updates, digital extension premieres

For the 2025 season, J. J. Watt departed The NFL Today to become a CBS color commentator, while Adam Schein took over in-game updates. The show premiered a two-hour digital extension, 'The NFL Today+', streamed on CBS Sports' digital platforms at 10 a.m. ET. CBS also announced that The NFL Today would broadcast on-site from selected regular season games throughout the season.