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One of the many organizations around the country to offer their condolences for recently passed visionary Steve Sabol, the Kansas City Chiefs released a statement on Tuesday to honor the beloved NFL Films president.
Sabol, who passed away at the age of 69 on Tuesday, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March of 2011. Along with having a role in the creation of NFL Network and once being the sole feature of a documentary, Sabol watched NFL Films bring home more than 100 total Emmy awards over the years in addition to more than 40 for himself.
With so many of their own historic moments encapsulated in Sabol's work, the Chiefs spoke of the unfortunate loss on Tuesday afternoon:
"Today, the Chiefs family and the entire National Football League mourn the loss of Steve Sabol – a dear friend, a true visionary and one of pro football's biggest fans. We are deeply saddened by Steve's passing, and our thoughts and prayers are with the Sabol family in this extremely difficult time.
With his limitless passion and unparalleled ability as a storyteller, Steve captured the essence and emotion of our sport, and it was through his eyes and through his lens that we watched pro football become America's game.
Steve and his father, Ed, chronicled and immortalized pro football’s greatest moments, including the iconic footage of Hank Stram from Super Bowl IV. Steve's artistry as a filmmaker gave an unforgettable, cinematic history of the NFL to an entire generation of fans.
But beyond his tremendous contributions to the game, Steve was a remarkable man and a cherished friend who will be greatly missed by our family and all who were blessed to know him."
Sabol's father, Ed, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, and it's a shame that Steve was never able to live to see himself achieve the same honor. Only a handful of men have been able to advance the sport of football in the same way from a technological standpoint over the years, but it's clear that Sabol's outstanding work will always live on through NFL Films.
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