MUM Yum Holiday Bazaar
Truancy Court in Butler County
2009 Ohio State football
Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > January > 26 > Entry
Long live NFL Films and ‘The Voice of God’
I grew up in the Price Hill section of Cincinnati at 4037 West Eighth Street, a short walk to Saint William School and Elder High School — my alma maters.
Anchored in the family den with Chuck & Ruth and my six siblings (Linda, Greg, Terri, Jeff, Dan and Barb), I grew up watching NFL Films and listening to the music of Sam Spence and “The Voice of God” — the immortal John Facenda.
To read and hear that the future of NFL Films — based in Mount Laurel, N.J., 15 miles from Philadelphia — is in jeopardy is unthinkable.
It’s also true.
And sad.
Facenda’s “voice over” on “The Power And The Glory: The Original Music & Voices Of NFL Films” goes like this …
“Professional football in America is a special game, a unique game … played nowhere else on earth, it is a rare game.”
And that’s my beef with the National Football League.
It’s no longer OUR GAME. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is trying to give it away.
Games are being played in London, Mexico, Canada and Japan.
It won’t be long and we’ll be playing regular-season games in China.
I hate the fact that the NFL feels it must go global.
It’s American born and American made. Let’s keep it that way.
The perfect gift for NFL fans:
http://www.amazon.com/Power-Glory-Original-Music-Voices/dp/B00000DGUH
Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News unloads on the NFL:
Is the NFL turning its back on NFL Films?
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-5-839/Is-league-turning-its-back-on-NFL-Films-.html
Check out Paula Duffy’s column at:
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: NFL
Comments
By T
January 26, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this
This is silly and provincial Chick. If you love football, why would you not encourage a global appeal? If for nothing else, think of the talent that may be found outside of the U.S. and Canada. Look at the NBA. Do international players lessen or improve the quality of the sport? Yeah, thought so.By Derrick
January 26, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this
I disagree with T. The USA has given its soul to other countries, and what do we have to show for it? Crime, lost jobs, lost status, on and on. It is, and always will be, about the almighty buck. Money drives all decisions and the NFL is no different.By Brian
January 26, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this
Pulling the plug on NFL Films is a shortsighted decision that will save pennies at the expense of dimes. I know cancelling my HBO subscription and switching to Showtime was motivated by the move of “Inside The NFL.” Game recap shows with highlight reels are a dime a dozen, but the NFL Films narrated footage seen on “Inside The NFL” is a cut above. Brad Johansen and Dave Lapham better watch out, because their play-by-play duties may be outsourced to Indian customer service reps thanks to the depressed economy…By T
January 27, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
Derrick, I am not sure how your point addresses what I am saying. As for blaming other countries for the negative things that happen in this country on a local level, well, that’s a cop out. Take some responsibility for your community. Yes, globalization is real and effects our daily lives, but that doesn’t mean that the US has “sold its soul” to other countries. You need to travel a bit, read more, and start working to improve your community.By Brian
January 27, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this
Maybe Derrick will have more time to read, travel, and take responsibility for his community after his job has been outsourced to talented Indonesians making $25 a month. Later, after coming home from his third job, he can reflect on the pros and cons of globalization after realizing he can’t afford the $29.95 necessary to watch the jetlagged Giants and Cowboys renew their traditional NFC rivalry LIVE from Barcelona on NFL PPV.By Yardbird
January 27, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
I agree with Chick. There is a period with any sport that is awesome before the sport gets too big. The 1960’s was by far the best era in the NFL. Not too much money to entice greed and high ticket prices. Players stayed on their teams and teams stayed in their cities. People had smiles on their Faces. That’s Chuck Howley (54) of the Cowboys at bottom of picture.By Big Burrito
January 28, 2009 1:09 AM | Link to this
Chick, A few years ago before the NFL bought NFL Films, they had a great website that you could watch all of the old shows (they have/had some of the great film editors of all time). Then when NFL took over you could pay to become a Field Pass owner and finally you have no option of watching unless you have the NFL network. I wish as do you that the NFL leaves it alone and keeps it American. ps. did you get my email with contact info for the family you asked about? Looking foward to draft day! B. Burrito