Former Miss America (1971) and television pioneer Phyllis George, who was the co-host of ‘The NFL Today’ and served as the first lady of Kentucky, dies at the age of 70, according to ESPN.
George died Thursday at a Lexington, Kentucky, hospital after a long fight with a blood disorder, according to a family spokesman.
George’s children Lincoln Tyler George Brown and CNN White House correspondent Pamela Ashley Brown said that she was “the most incredible mother we could ever ask for” in a joint statement.
“For many, Mom was known by her incredible accomplishments as the pioneering female sportscaster, 50th Miss America and first lady,” the statement said.
“But this was all before we were born and never how we viewed Mom. To us, she was the most incredible mother we could ever ask for, and it is all of the defining qualities the public never saw, especially against the winds of adversity, that symbolize how extraordinary she is more than anything else. The beauty so many recognized on the outside was a mere fraction of her internal beauty, only to be outdone by an unwavering spirit that allowed her to persevere against all the odds.”
“The CBS Sports family is deeply saddened by the passing of Phyllis George, an icon in the sports broadcasting industry who contributed greatly to the rich history and tradition of CBS Sports,” Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “Phyllis was not only a key member of a show that remains the gold standard of NFL pregame shows, the NFL Today with Brent, Irv and ‘The Greek,’ but also a pioneer for all women in broadcasting.”
George will be remembered for helping women break into more prominent roles in the world of sports broadcasting and journalism, and a number of prominent female sports and sports media figures offered their respects on social media.
