Irv Cross, 81, died in his home near Roseville, Minnesota, late Sunday night. The cause of death has not yet been provided.
The former Pro Bowl defensive back became the first Black man to work full-time as a sports analyst on national television.
Cross was a Northwestern alum who played football as both a wide receiver and defensive back under head coach Ara Parseghian from 1958 to 1960. He was a team captain who also participated in track and field and was named as the University’s male athlete of the year as a senior. He graduated from the School of Education in 1961 before being selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 98th pick in that year’s NFL Draft.