Randy Cross
Acting
Biography
Randy Cross was one of the most versatile and durable offensive linemen in San Francisco 49ers history, anchoring the team's offensive line during their dynasty years. Born April 25, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York, Cross attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, California, where he excelled as a shot put champion. At UCLA, he was a First-team All-American in 1975 and helped lead the Bruins to a stunning Rose Bowl upset over top-ranked Ohio State in 1976. Drafted in the second round (42nd overall) by the 49ers in 1976, the 6-foot-3, 259-pound Cross spent his entire 13-year career in San Francisco, demonstrating remarkable versatility by playing both center (1976-1978, 1987-1988) and guard (1979-1986). His ability to excel at both positions made him invaluable to Bill Walsh's West Coast offense. Cross earned three Pro Bowl selections (1981, 1982, 1984) and three First-team All-Pro honors (1981, 1984, 1985), starting 180 of 185 games played. Cross was instrumental in the 49ers' three Super Bowl championships (XVI, XIX, XXIII). He was the right guard protecting Joe Montana during the famous 89-yard drive that culminated in "The Catch" against Dallas in the 1981 NFC Championship Game. His final game was Super Bowl XXIII, where he helped protect Montana on the game-winning 92-yard drive, with Montana finding John Taylor for the winning touchdown with 34 seconds remaining—a storybook ending to a brilliant career. Known for his technical precision, intelligence, and durability as a pass protector and pulling guard who opened lanes for Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler, Cross was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011. After retiring, he enjoyed a successful broadcasting career spanning over two decades with CBS and NBC as an NFL analyst.
Known For
America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions is an annual documentary series created by NFL Films (broadcast on the NFL Network and CBS). Each of its 55 (and counting) installments profile the National Football League's annual Super Bowl champion through highlights, interviews with players and coaches, and a celebrity narrator. A spin-off debuted on September 18, 2008, titled America's Game: The Missing Rings which chronicled five of the best teams to never win the Super Bowl.
America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions
Howard Cosell hosted the first instalment of Monday Night Football.
Monday Night Football
Step onto the sidelines and stand with legends such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Bill Walsh as you watch one of the most successful teams in NFL history work its magic. From "The Alley Oop" to "The Catch", McElhenny to Montana ..."Joe the Jet" to Flash 80...Bill Walsh to George Seifert, the San Francisco 49ers boast a deep history of brilliant coaches, hard hitting defenses and high powered offenses. Now, here is a DVD collection no true 49ers fan can do without. "As Great As Gold" takes you on a tour that follows the team through the fabulous 50's, covers their resurgence in the 70's and highlights the glory years of a dynasty that won 5 Super Bowls. You'll also see the 1981 NFC Championship game, a see-saw battle which helped put the 49ers on top of the NFL's pecking order.
NFL History of the San Francisco 49ers
Few had heard of Bill Walsh when he was hired as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 1979. Within three seasons, he created a world champion -- within six, he had created a dynasty. In this program, NFL Films goes inside the 49ers dynasty, detailing the system, the players, and the mindset that created the powerhouse 49ers teams of the 1980s.