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BORN
1933
DIED
2015
Tony Verna Obituary
Verna died Sunday at his Palm Desert home after battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia, daughter Tracy Soiseth said.
CBS used instant replay for the first time in the Dec. 7, 1963 Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, after Verna developed a method to cue the tape to pinpoint the play he wanted to immediately air again. He said he was looking for a way to fill those boring gaps between plays during a football telecast.
The concept was so new that when Army quarterback Rollie Stichweh scored a touchdown, announcer Lindsey Nelson had to warn viewers: "This is not live! Ladies and gentlemen, Army did not score again!"
Instant replay quickly became a staple of sports broadcasting, and Verna's innovation gave fans a new way to look at the games.
"Not many things you can do in life w here you can change the way things were happening before," Verna told The Associated Press in 2008.
Verna would go on to produce or direct five Super Bowls, the Olympics, the Kentucky Derby and even "Live Aid."
His lasting legacy, though, is pulling back the curtain on sports and revealing what really goes on.
Verna is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, daughters Tracy Soiseth and Jenny Axelrod, son Eric Verna and three grandchildren.
Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
19 Entries
LCC
January 26, 2015
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear Husband and father. We just can't know the sorrow that you bear, but God knows and he promises to be close to the brokenhearted. So pour out your feelings to the God who promises to comfort your heart
LA Washington DC
January 25, 2015
I'm sorry for the loss of Tony Verna. Please accept my condolences. As a frequent viewer of sporting events, I'm thankful that his innovative mind increased our enjoyment of entertainment that he helped bring to our homes. He will surely be missed. May God Almighty give you a measure of peace to cope with grief associated with your loss~Rom. 15:33.
michelle plakas-kaiser
January 22, 2015
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Ps. 55:22
January 22, 2015
It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.
January 21, 2015
Carol: I am so sad. I can't believe he is gone. I had no idea that he was so sick. We all loved him and will miss him
My love to you. Call me when things settle down. love, Barbara Roche
Kathleen Murray
January 21, 2015
My sincerest condolences on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather and uncle. I recently came across a picture of him with his brother, Sevy, me and Eric taken at JFK Stadium in 1985. He was quite an accomplished and genuinely nice man!
The Rev. Kathleen Murray
January 21, 2015
To the family of I send my sincere condolences. During this difficult time I hope you draw comfort from the GOD of comfort. JAMES 4.8.
January 19, 2015
We all need to see a tony replay... Rest in peace..
January 19, 2015
My co-author and I are in the final stages of completing a draft of a law review article - scheduled to be published by the Mississippi Sports Law Review later this year, entitled "Instant Replay: A Contemporary Legal Analysis." In preparing the article, I read Mr. Verna's book. We have devoted several pages to his invention, and the process that led up to it. I'm deeply saddened that we didn't complete publication in time for him to read it. His contributions to have been incredibly significant! - Russ VerSteeg, Professor, New England Law | Boston
Wright
January 19, 2015
To the family, friends, colleagues, and fans. Our heartfelt condolences for a man that brought instant replay to the sport's world, his contribution will be a remembrance of him. May your fond memories bring you joy and comfort . Draw close to God and he will draw close to you.
January 19, 2015
Please accept my deepest sympathy. God promises to give us thoughts of peace and to listen to our prayers. May the words of Jeremiah 29:11,12 bring you comfort during this difficult time.
Scott Chamberland
January 19, 2015
Rest in Peace
January 19, 2015
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
C Grant
January 19, 2015
Sorry for your loss, may Almighty God give peace. Phi. 4:7.
January 19, 2015
I'm not a sports fan, but I know the importance of instant replay. Brilliant. The simplest things can change the world. Thanks Mr. Verna. I remember his face, but had never heard of him or what he did. There is a safe place for him. it is in Jehovah's memory.
January 19, 2015
My sincere sympathy to your family and friends. May the God of all comfort,strengthen you and the entire family,during this time of sorrow. Those who die ,God keeps them in his memory, because they are precious,in his eyes. Psalms 116:15.
2 Corinthians 1:3, 4
January 19, 2015
I'm sorry for your loss. May "the God of all comfort" provide your family with the needed strength to endure as you mourn for your loss.
Carolyn Lawrence
January 19, 2015
I am deeply sorry for your loss. I remember seeing him on television; although I'm not sports fan. We all need encouragement in times like this. My prayers thought go w/ the family.
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