1979 NFL Highlights - John Facenda narration

1979 NFL highlights with the original John Facenda narration. Given the ending, I think this is actually the "Road to the Super Bowl" version that is released the week before the Super Bowl, since it leaves uncertain the SB highlights and final verdict.
Taken from an old VCR recording. I tried cleaning up the audio, but the process created an increasing time lag that left it out of sync with the video as it went on that I was unable to fix, so I left it as-is.
www.pro-footba...

[@nordythenorthman]

John Facenda, the voice of the NFL.

[@nickj3513]

Well no one could do it like Facenda!!!!!

[@kch7051]

The Voice of God

[@frankdenardo8684]

@@nickj3513 John Facenda should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

[@frankdenardo8684]

@@nickj3513 he should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

[@nickj3513]

@@frankdenardo8684 dam right!!

[@hoover2501]

I'm watching this instead of the pregame to the super bowl. So much better than listening to the crap that they are spewing before the game

[@keithcanatsey9823]

Anyone who was unaware of just how fast John Riggins was, there he was at the 16:30 mark running for a touchdown at age 30 with the 23 year-old Dennis Thurman hot on his heels but NOT closing the gap. Keep in mind there that Riggins was 230 pounds while Thurman was only around 175 pounds...AND Riggins was slowed slightly by carrying luggage (the football).

[@TomG1555]

Riggins was supposedly even faster + stronger during his early years with the Jets, but those were with some pretty mediocre teams so they perhaps didn't get the attention (even playing in New York) that they deserved.

[@stevecvino]

Other than his Super bowl TD run. This was it for me. I remember that Dallas game like yesterday and still upset that the 'Skins didn't get a chance for a Mosely fg attempt with 2 seconds left in that game.

[@lonelybro77]

And his block @ 17:10...knocked the guy's helmet off!

[@jrodlange8099]

Based on the first 30 seconds of this video, I'm guessing the Bills special teams coach lost some sleep based on his return units.

[@LordApathy1]

I remember watching this highlight film when I was a kid. The narration & music for the playoff segment was vintage NFL Films at its best.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Staubach's touchdown to defeat Washington marked the official end of the 1970s.

[@70oldskool]

Wow. When football was football.

[@jeffreybeshears8211]

Bring back the bucs orangecicle unis and pat patriot unis

[@jimmypatterson3998]

Absolutely. Hate their current uniforms.

[@arielgerardo6475]

i know I'm pretty off topic but do anyone know a good website to stream newly released series online?

[@leonkayson8402]

@Ariel Gerardo i use FlixZone. You can find it on google =)

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Hell, bring back something that looks like an NFL uniform and not like one of those European league teams or even worse, like hockey uniforms.

[@mongoslade277]

His name was Bruce. Bruce the Buccaneer

[@CoreyT127]

The entire 70s either the Cowboys, Vikings , or Rams played each other in the nfc championship game. And the one who didn't make it was because they got beat by one of the other two in the divisional round!

[@lutherjennings6565]

Thank you Tagryn!!! I have been wanting to see the 1979 season in review with John Facenda! I got the half hour clip with Harry Kalas! But I have been hoping someone would show this one on youtube! It sounds like this was on ESPN! They all ways played the chimes to indicate that they were going to commercial! Thank you!

[@bobscott2429]

This was on ESPN - after the show, the next thing was a couple seconds of "SportsCenter" (with the theme from back in the day) - or maybe it was "SportsCenter PLUS"!

[@thenobleone-3384]

I use to listen to the late Steve Sabol. Things I remember about the 70s is how the Vikings struggled in the Super Bowl and how great the Steelers were.

[@skymike12]

Who can say who's gonna win the SB. lolol... too freakin hilarious.. great video. thanks. One of my fav. years ever, as and Oiler fan, and a football fan.

[@jeffreybeshears8211]

Facenda=legend. Time machine please

[@holidayeveryday550]

That would be great right about now

[@markotto9855]

Im watching this Dec 2023. Just to relive the game before so many rules against EVERY play of that era. Im all for safety. But DAMN those old timers got HIT!!!

[@Classicrocker6119]

The Saints rookie punter Russell Erxleben’s gaffe in overtime against the Falcons was classic.

[@TomG1555]

I'm curious why you say it was Erxleben's fault? What should he have done, after the Saints' center sailed the ball over his head?

[@ciesaro]

Erxleben was the Saints first round selection in 1979. One year before St Louis made kicker Steve Little their first round selection

[@billyd7882]

I imagine God’s voice sounds like that.

[@sixsentsoldiers]

Absolutely

[@arthurbishop3173]

That's why Facenda was called 'The Voice of God' 8)

[@christopherhanson305]

Well you know it does...

[@maengun2091]

I agree

[@frankrizzo4460]

Totally agree 😁🤔

[@jayp398]

Amazing how DBs could crunch receivers!

[@5dave1]

Facenda, Spence and the Sabols at their very best.............I recall this like yesterday and great stuff indeed....

[@dantheman5745]

"In the NFL in 1979, center stage belonged not to the captains and kings, but to the clowns and jesters." Can you imagine ESPN being this irreverent toward NFL players instead of kissing up to them and glorifying & validating every stupid thing idiot players do today?

[@1970andme]

GOOOOOOOO BENGALS!!!👍

[@Jmnor60]

That’s why they should be barred from getting the prime matchups

[@jimmypatterson3998]

Love this.This is before the days of the politically correct nonsense that we are now plagued by.

[@StFidjnr]

I love the song that started 0:10 can you name it

[@nopedothat1218]

@@jimmypatterson3998 sucks you can't be racist sexist ect. in the open huh. It's the worst!

[@oscarl.ramirez7355]

thank you for the Upload. Great memories at that time i was an 11 year old kid.

[@arthurbishop3173]

Love this!! Thanks for uploading 8)

[@williamwest3782]

Jimmy Pol at the 34:12 mark, in Three Rivers, with the Terrible Towels being waved! Classic!

[@runner6500]

The theme for "Star Trek the Next Generations" is the music at the end!

[@PrinceTron1]

The first Star Trek: The Motion Picture came out in 1979.

[@lesschoenberger3070]

24:47 Lyle Alzado as a Cleveland Brown

[@Bruce12867]

I believe the title of this film was something like, "Underdogs and Upsets, Hot Dogs and Heroes".

[@normanpeters7544]

Sam Rutigliano.

[@arthurbishop3173]

He reminds of Martin Scorsese here...

[@mikevanriel7573]

Can you imagine John Facenda narrating NFL Films well into the 80's and early 90's? By then, NFL Films music or some of it were High Energy and Hip Hop.

[@denisceballos9745]

“Ain’t no stopping us now” - TSOP McFadden and Whitehead 1979 at 33:56.

[@Jiltedin2007]

The Los Angeles Rams became the very first team in NFL History to ever play a Super Bowl in their Home Market in Super Bowl XIV(Played in Pasadena, California).

[@jeffreymadden2745]

Do you have saints sinners and saviors about the 1980 season too

[@TomG1555]

I've seen it on YT from time to time, but it doesn't stay up long before being blocked. My guess is some of the music (for example, from Star Trek The Motion Picture) triggers the blockers, but that's just a guess.

[@joshuakline1435]

12:02 Monsoon + Tampa Stadium's Muddy Grass Field = Definitive Football Weather.

[@arthurbishop3173]

One of the 'Weather' games of the century!!! I remember being 10 years old at the time, and I wanted to play in the rain and mud ALL THE TIME after I saw highlights from the 'Monsoon Game'.

[@erikthorsen240]

I just loved playing football in the mud. If mom caught us muddy though, she wasn't no June Cleaver about it. She'd go off like an A- bomb.

[@StFidjnr]

@@arthurbishop3173 monsoon bowl

[@humphreygruntwhistle3946]

Wind, rain, snow, subzero temps…doesn’t matter…you still play football. The one exception is lightning (which is only a temporary stoppage) or a catastrophic weather event like a hurricane.

[@myimorata7678]

6:20 to 6:26: #85 is Dave Logan. Was a high school phenom in Denver, a former CU Buffalo, and is now the radio voice of the Denver Broncos.

[@arthurbishop3173]

Logan had GREAT hands, and was big/tall enough to play basketball too, I believe.

[@natureboy1313]

Logan was a remarkable athlete.

[@russellpavlov1343]

tagryn, if I recall the Facenda version of 1979 NFL Highlights was titled "Upsets and Underdogs" the story of the 1979 NFL Season.

[@StFidjnr]

Hotdogs and heroes

[@kayodephillips5435]

Love these

[@mikem591]

30:15 - OJ played with Walsh for a year.

[@mrlaw711]

Ypu, so did Jim Pluckett. Pluckett stood on the sidelines to finish his career in SF. Held his helmet, and didn't play much. Then, he found new life at Oakland, and led Raiders to a Super Bowl championship.

[@denisceballos9745]

None of that montage of runs by O. J. were from his Forty Niner years (1978-79). By that time he was injured and was working on his next career acting in commercials and movies. He would reappear front and center in the national news in the nineties. 🙄

[@howardcosell2022]

@@denisceballos9745 Buffalo tried to bury OJ, sending him to San Francisco. Simpson wanted to go to California and the Bills turned down the Rams offer of sending all their draft picks in 77, a la Ricky Williams, and the opportunity to play for Oakland

[@howardcosell2022]

@@mrlaw711 He sat in Oakland for two years also

[@denisceballos9745]

Howard Cosell; The Forty Niners (GM Joe Thomas) made the trade for OJ for his marquee value - they needed to boost attendance at Candlestick which had declined. You’re right, OJ wanted to be traded to L.A. but that trade never materialized for the reasons you stated. He had a short-lived, uneventful stint in SF.

[@fritterfoof5146]

john McKay quote reporter coach what do you think of your teams execution I AM ALL FOR IT QUOTE

[@frankkelley2610]

Fritter Foof He also said his bucs offense couldn’t score against a stiff. breeze

[@indy_go_blue6048]

"We proved we can't win at home, and we can't win the road, so we're looking for a good neutral site for our next game." Funny man.

[@TomG1555]

18:20 #14 Russell Erxleben in his first NFL game has a punt sail over his head in OT, which he then retrieves and desperately throws up for grabs, where it is intercepted and returned for a TD (game over). Erxleben was the Saints 1st round selection that year, so as a kicker/punter drafted high the expectations for him were perfection-or-else, and he received a lot of criticism from Saints fans for this play...unjustly, in my opinion. The play was doomed b/c the NO center moonshots the snap over the punter's head ; I'm not sure what Erxleben was supposed to do to save the situation when he retrieves the ball at the 2 with guys in his face already - maybe fall on the ball, which would have given the Falcons the ball right at the goal line in OT. Anyway, he got the blame for losing that game, and then got injured the next week and missed most of the rest of the season, which turned most Saints fans against him for the rest of his time there.

[@howardcosell2022]

All kickers get scrutinized because every fan thinks a team wasted a top draft pick at an unnecessary position. Oakland used to get on Janikowski his rookie year because he was missing kicks

[@mikem591]

30:41 - OJ ran like a deer. 🦌 He glided across the field when he ran. Looked like it would be like actually having to tackle a deer. He had a powerful build to go with that speed and great Rb instincts.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Yes, he really sliced and diced the opposition.

[@brainscott8198]

It's August 1, 2023....HOF Game next week....happy happy joy joy

[@scottbilger9294]

Anyone else notice the Star Trek TNG theme? This was in 1979 -- well, probably 1980. TNG wouldn't come out for 7 more years.

[@TomG1555]

"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" came out in '79, that's most likely where that's from.

[@StFidjnr]

@@TomG1555 0:10 name that tune

[@KeithFroehlich07]

It just dawned on me both conferences coach of the year winners missed the playoffs. How the hell does that happen voters?

[@tedlee2861]

There's that old music. 😆🏈👍

[@mikem591]

30:40 - Seeing him run, you can see why he was so fast. He had long legs that covered a lot of ground quickly. He kind of ‘bounded’ like a deer when he ran.

[@chrisshockey5845]

Was that a Norris Weese sighting?

[@Staceyatkinson4496]

Love that buccs feature, now they are 2time champions

[@lonelybro77]

Yeah, I remember Zorn to Largent

[@aaronbradley3232]

Looking back on this I am glad that Doug Williams was the first black quarterback to win a title. They talk about the league being racist with Warren Moon I don't understand why they wouldn't sign that guy he was one of the best ever but Doug Williams was doing this like when he came out even his second year I think he started the year I was born in 78 if I remember correctly

[@ajogg]

I moved down to TB in 1979 and fell in love with the Bucs - what a great year for them. Stupid Culverhouse should have paid him better. He was paid less then all other starting QB's and 12 backup QB's.

[@CoreyT127]

@@ajogg he could barely complete 50% of his passes. He had more bad games then good games. But still for back ups to be making more than him was ridiculous.

[@LinkRocks]

OJ killed that speech.

[@almattei88]

Wow. The exalted Steelers compared to a fraternity touch football team on its third keg of beer? And leading the league in fumbles AND bumbles???

[@tedlee2861]

Love John facenda. Lol. 🤣🏈👍

[@05steelersrule08]

AKA Road to Super Bowl XIV.

[@jaycompany4886]

Man they had alot characters back especially the coaches... .alot of spunk, that's missing now

[@maximusvonce1381]

John Facenda the voice of God

[@elwin38]

@12:08..i remember that rain storm in Tampa where they HAD to win to clinch the NFC Central. If they lost, Chicago would've won the division and the Redskins would've gotten the last wildcard spot.

[@kevincostello3856]

I was 12 and 79 was my Steelers last Super Bowl winning team until 2005!!! Still walking around in my neighborhood with mt Steeler jersey on and as a kid when youre team wins 4 Super Bowls it made for a great childhood. The end of an great era of old school ball. 80s came and teams switched cities , passing became king which would eventually morph into the So called NFL we have today. Back then they even played the Pro Bowl with pride and not worrying about jerk off social media and dancing en masse after a TD. Wait till ya WIN THE GAME FIRST. ETC ETC. NFL today a joke compared with the MEN whom played back then PERIOD

[@StFidjnr]

2:16 the steelers still had enough wins to clinch the AFC central division title with the league's best record

[@gregorypollard5908]

Star Trek The Motion Picture music at the end....!

[@jomic9060]

never knew it was normal procedure for the cleveland browns to take the 3 hr bus ride down to pittsburgh on a saturday afternoon rather than fly.

[@KeithFroehlich07]

Don Coryell was probably the one who voted thumbs down.

[@Kevin-od2pc]

I really wish NFL Films would delete the OJ segments and erase him like he did to two innocent souls

[@michaelleroy9281]

Last time I checked he was found not guilty

[@elwin38]

@37:15...Roger Staubach's last game.

[@michaelleroy9281]

Buccaneers: we have met the enemy they are us HaHa until 1979

[@denisceballos9745]

Looks like Coach Wayne Fontes ripping his men for lack of effort at 8:04. He eventually became the head coach for the Lions.

[@derrrick7759]

38:34. And I thought this music was Star Trek- The Next Generation all along. Oh well lol.

[@dantheman5745]

This should have been San Diego's year. How they lost to Campbell- and Pastorini-less Houston is beyond comprehension.

[@ckobo84]

Psychological let down + Fouts playing like dog poop.

[@jonathanhairston5019]

Dan the Man they wouldn't have beaten Pittsburgh

[@dantheman5745]

@@jonathanhairston5019 Wouldn't have beaten Pittsburgh? They DID beat Pittsburgh. And it wasn't even remotely close. Had the Chargers played the Steelers in the post-season, the game would've been played in San Diego. That's because in Week #12, the Chargers -beat- -crushed- utterly obliterated the Steelers, 35-7. The Steelers were 8-0 at home, but an average team on the road. They were fortunate to even be 4-4. Here's how they fared: @9-7 Patriots....won, 16-13 *_in OT_* @5-11 Cardinals....won, 24-21 _(Trailed, 21-7, in 4th)_ *@11-5 Eagles....lost, 17-14* @9-7 Browns....won, 51-35 *@4-12 Bengals....*-lost- *got destroyed, 34-10* _(Cincy was 0-6 coming into the game)_ @7-9 Chiefs....won, 30-3 *@12-4 Chargers....got pummeled, 35-7* *@11-5 Oilers....lost, 20-17* In their only post-season game away from Pittsburgh (SB XIV), they struggled to beat a 9-7 Rams team that was starting their back-up QB. (Rams actually led, 19-17, in the 4th quarter before 2 bombs from Bradshaw decided the game) San Diego had the #1 scoring defense in the AFC (#2 in the NFL) and allowed only 12 PPG at home. Upon what do you base your conclusion that San Diego would've stood no chance vs Pittsburgh?

[@TomG1555]

There were some rumors that the Oilers had either stolen the Chargers' system to send in the plays or found a "tell" in Fouts' stance that signaled either run or pass, and that contributed to their 5 interceptions. The way Fouts put it in the "America's Game" feature on those Charger teams is "...we were just off (that game), and I was just off a lot."

[@Bruce12867]

Dan Fouts turned Vernon Perry into an all-pro that day.

[@ezsmith3765]

1:07 WHY I HAVE NEVER 😱😡

[@KeithFroehlich07]

I'm pretty sure in the 1978 yearly Facenda films Rutigliano berated that same official and told him to open his eyes. LOL

[@Bruce12867]

That was head linesman Frank Glover...He was on Ben Dreith's crew in 1978-79.

[@StFidjnr]

7:29 reality

[@StFidjnr]

1:41 not often that voice of god had a chuckle

[@davidrivera9743]

27:59 one year early.

[@depaola63]

1979....when I was 16 🌈 Classic times 😘@17:10 Riggins BLASTED that guy ! He’s in The HOF 🏈 because he was a FORCE 💪⭐️⚡️ Big and fast ! @34:13 Classic cheesy 🎶

[@erikthorsen240]

If that guy took an angle on Riggens, he'd have gotten a hand on him. But he followed straight because he misunderestimated Riggins speed. That was Riggo's 9th year. (graduated college 1970).

[@elwin38]

I was 11.🏈🏈✊🏾

[@johnhoffman9363]

38:40 Seconds in, NFL Films had The Star Trek Next Generation Theme song before TNG lol

[@astralwerks4]

Star Trek: The Motion Picture" came out in '79

[@lonelybro77]

Note the legal hitting, kiddies. Campbell survives a Tatum blast

[@LinkRocks]

And look at Campbell today, numb nuts.

[@timothyzakaria7397]

70s=disco

[@jeichristian2914]

I can say who will be the hero and hotdogs of Super Bowl 14..... Spoiler Alert, the Steelers win. :)

[@mrlaw711]

Wonder what the Tampa fans would think if they watched the current fiasco known as the Chicago Bears.

[@stevennewman8276]

Dont forget about murder...OJ also gave us murder...x's 2!

[@davidrivera9743]

33:00 or for ten years.

[@KeithFroehlich07]

11:04 Neil O'Donoghue missed a field goal attempt in 1984 playing for the Cardinals in Week 16 at Washington and cost them a playoff spot.

[@dryerlint17]

24:07

[@mikehunt8997]

I didn't mind seeing OJ killing his football opponents with his runs.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

Fun fake fact: Facenda narrated Sunday dinner when I dated his niece.

[@aaronbradley3232]

Lol it has very little form to it

[@KeithFroehlich07]

12:03 16:26 35:49

[@floydkoonce1882]

P

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

@ 30:00, a convicted felon

[@indy_go_blue6048]

It's not know as the National Felons League for nothing, but most of them are/were still playing at the time.

[@michaelleroy9281]

Last time I checked he was found not guilty on October 3 , 1995

[@monerz1]

In their first season the Buccaneers went 3-13. They beat the Pacers twice & the Oilers once. & that was it!

[@indy_go_blue6048]

Sorry, but no. The Bucs were 0-14 in 1976, their inaugural season. in 1977 they beat StL and Wash, the 27th and 28th games of their history, going 2-14, then 5-11 in 1978.

[@monerz1]

@@indy_go_blue6048 Their first winning season wasn't until 1993. The lost that year in the Superbowl to the Chargers 9-7.

[@indy_go_blue6048]

@@monerz1 Hmm... what alternate history films are you watching?

[@monerz1]

I'm an ordained minister.

[@chrismccune1408]

​@Al Swearengen Yes, you're correct. Stan Humphries was their QB, and he led the NFL in homeruns and on-base percentage.

[@manuginobilisbaldspot424]

Sounds like the script was exactly the same as the one Harry Kalas did. Why isn’t this version on the DVDs?!? Everything with John Facenda is awesome.

[@TomG1555]

My guess is that when it came time to transfer the originals to DVD, they couldn't get the rights to some of the popular music that's used in the soundtrack, and by that time Facenda had passed away so they couldn't have him rerecord it; Kalas was the NFL Films main in-house recording talent at that time, so they had him redo the same narration with the new music. For me, I knew this version as the only one for a long time, so hearing the Kalas version with different music just feels too jarring, much as I like HK as a narrator.

[@fakegrasshonestvalueturf3097]

This is an example of the year-end videos produced after the conference championships but released before the Super Bowl, usually for networks to air on the day or weekend of the Super Bowl. The 1978-80 versions are what I consider the best of the vintage. I especially enjoy how NFL Films interspersed some versions of pop music -- which were deleted in the year-end videos complete with Super Bowl highlights that made their way onto DVDs. Steve Sabol explained to me that they used the music they really wanted in the conference championship versions, but didn't want to pay the music publishers rights fees into perpetuity for the year-enders with Super Bowl versions.

[@seanycarr3226]

Just wondering - is John Facenda still around? Harry Kalas passed away in the summer of 2009 I believe.

[@dreiss]

@@seanycarr3226 Facenda passed away in 1984.

[@kch7051]

@@TomG1555 and Kalas, though not Facenda, was a damn good voice. If there ever were a seamless transition, that was it.

[@mikefagan6840]

I LOVE that you left it, taped off of TV with an antenna with all the interferences that goes with it. This is how we grew up. GREAT ❤

[@depaola63]

I was 16 during this AWESOME era !! @15:08Atlanta's #24 Haskell Stanback ( who was very good)..gets a TOTAL CHEAP SHOT !! ...This era was the reason many rules were changed !! These guys were killing each other from the 1920's-2000' ! ( The 1960's, 70's & 80's THE MOST !

[@Lenox_TheWellBeing]

Yes, football was a very brutal game. Big hard hits with consistency on all levels of the game were rewarded .

[@captainmoretokin2172]

Watching these plays brings back so many memory's . I remember them like it was just a couple season's ago. All NFL players should watch the old films .

[@Dave-zw3yr]

Ron Jeremy sighting at .56

[@natureboy1313]

Dude!!!!

[@StFidjnr]

0:10 Name that tune