1998 "NFL on CBS" Theme Music

[JHollowayNetwork]

CBS dumped this theme after 2002 in favor of E.S. Posthumus's "Posthumus Zone" because they needed a theme similar to FOX's and wanted to distance themselves to the 1956-1993, NFC version of The NFL on CBS. but Most Local CBS Stations continue to use this theme for their preseason coverage.

[mytimton]

@JHollowayNetwork I think the Chiefs used it in the preseason

[phuturephunk]

Best football theme EVAR~!!!!

[dalekusa]

BTW Marv Albert has replaced Gus Johnson in the booth.

[Kuhn02]

This is music, I miss it and wish they would bring it back!!

[dalekusa]

Can you find a cleaner version of this?

[gametime65]

kevin harlan and greg gumble > jim nantz

[bakerandbaker1]

Actually, almost any CBS NFL PBP over Nantz. He should be eighth out of eight. If I were in Sean McManus' position, the pairings would look like this: Harlan-Dierdorf, Gumbel-Fouts, Eagle-Wilcots, Johnson-Beuerlein, Dedes-Tasker, Macatee-Gannon,Criqui-Cross,Na­ntz-Simms. Agree-Disagree? Discuss.

[dalekusa]

@bakerandbaker1 well you could have Gumbel-Simms at the #1, Harlan Dierdorf at #2, and Nantz-Fouts in that case, even though I'm ok with Nantz at the top.

[bakerandbaker1]

Nantz is way too quiet for the NFL, and Simms analysis can be blatantly obvious. I've heard that Dierdorf is a clown, but I don't see it- he looks rather serious to me. Are Nantz and Simms worthy of the absurdly deep announcing roster at CBS? Maybe. Maybe they could sneak past Macatee-Gannon and Criqui-Cross because of the age of the PBP announcers, but not higher than that. I know many people outside of Lakers fans haven't heard of Dedes, but his future at CBS looks promising to me.

[anthonymonroe]

Kevin Harlan and Gus Johnson are the best announcers for CBS!!

[bakerandbaker1]

Unfortunately for CBS, Gus left for Fox to do FX College Football and the occasional NFL game. Their loss.

[jasada09]

this version sucks i like the current one the best

[MIBFreakPack]

With the more synthetic sound, it sounds alot more like a late 1980s theme and not 1990s.

[therealMrA]

LOL Touched by an Angel?

[Pasc9]

EAGLES

[StraightOuttaDC]

The new one is better. Period. Don't agree? Fuck yourself.

[bakerandbaker1]

Damm, why did they ever demote Greg Gumbel?

[bayou432]

@bakerandbaker1 Probably because of Jim Nantz deciding he wanted to be the top football announcer. He started at CBS around 1985 (I think Gumbel arrived in '88 or '89 after leaving ESPN) and stuck with CBS when Greg bolted to NBC for the 1994-97 seasons when CBS didn't have football, so probably his longer (and continuous) tenure was enough leverage with CBS management to force Gumbel out of the booth. It's funny that this happened because I know when CBS returned in '98, they gave the

[bayou432]

@bakerandbaker1 (continuation of earlier reply) the main host role of "The NFL Today" to Jim Nantz as a reward for him sticking with CBS during their football absence since Brent Musberger had brought such a high profile to the show, and yet Greg Gumbel, having been at CBS only a year or two, had succeeded Musberger in 1990. I agree with your opinion, Greg Gumbel should never have been forced out from the top announce spot, and Jim Nantz needs to stick with college hoops and golf.

[bakerandbaker1]

Actually, I prefer Kevin Harlan. He has the perfect combination of volume, coherentness, and excitability, plus he is very detail oriented, which I've come to like from PBP announcers having grown up listening to Joe Castiglione of the Red Sox, Gil Santos of the Patriots, and Barney Hall and Joe Moore of MRN during NASCAR races, on the radio, where the dominance of the PBP announcer is an essential trait. I do prefer Gumbel over Nantz; Nantz is far too quiet during games. This isn't golf Jim.

[bakerandbaker1]

It's football, America's #1 sport. At least act like you're interested. If not, CBS has plenty of golf assignments for you throughout the year.

[FollyWantACracker]

The new theme is far better

[WhiteGirlsAsianPLZ]

I miss the old CBS Theme and this one too brings back memories galore. Fox needs new graphics but at least they have kept their theme.

[miggy25]

I remember that Jets/49ers game during the 1998 season that Greg Gumbel mentioned....Garrison Hearst ran all over us

[ivegotalongdong]

what i would like to find is the closing musical sting that they played at the end of the game, just as signing off. it was usually a 'travel provided by United Air lines' - featured the strings on violins. i am sure it was probably put together from a classical track of music, but i'll be damned if i can think of the name. any help??

[crashandburn548]

can anyone find this EXACT version of the song without greg gumbel?

[nnnnnnnp]

Oh shit that was the game were garrison herst ran a 99 yard overtime win against the Jets

[rangerking1]

98 Broncos The Elway ERA

[skudplayr]

Anyone know where I can download this theme to put on my Ipod?

[NYJYIK]

The current theme has grown on me but I agree this theme is better. As long as CBS does not get rid of their college football theme im ok lol

[fvinci3]

Hi Everyone... I am the writer of this CBS Game of the week theme ..I wish it was still on the air as well. I see from some of the comments that it is playing in a few market outside of the NY area (where i live) -I did not know this. . Thanks FOR THE INFO y.. All of you should write to CBS and demand this theme back for the next season .PLEASE...

[Knightmessenger]

the local UPN (50) in Detroit used this for the 2008 preseason games. Don't know if they will again this year.

[CristoeSalvatore]

@fvinci3 what is this theme called so I know what to tell CBS brass?

[fvinci3]

hi..my theme had many different names. They would change the name on every version just call it "THE CBS NFL GAME OF THE WEEK" written by :Frankie Vinci

[thedude19766]

@fvinci3 actully is called super bowl

[lmswentzeljr]

It was a 96 yd run and yes it was a great game.

[moeq8iprince]

I love this theme! I wish they can bring it back.

[naruyamcha]

The game this year hurt more, 10 years after, same result, Gay City beating the Jets.

[smackdatpat]

This theme reminds me of the 2001 divisional playoff when the defending champion ravens and their god like defense came to pittsburgh. Brings back memories. I like it better than the current one

[Bruss969]

BRING IT BACK!

[KL58383]

I second that.......................Eve­n the modified theme from 1999-2002 was better than that crappy rap theme they've been using since 2003.

[purplestuff722]

@KL58383 they stopped the rap, now the theme is amazing

[ribcutter]

@KL58383

i'm sorry but this shit is incredibly boring but maybe its cause i'm just used to hearing the way it is right now.

[badkarma44]

hell yea man !!!!!!!!

[ChristianKidsShowFan]

I happened to be getting set to record the Dolphins-Ravens wild card game when I saw Jim Nantz doing an ID for the CBS station in my area (WTKR) and I heard this version of the NFL on CBS theme. Wonder if they're hinting at bringing it back (and hopefully they'll air it again).

[devswartz]

Probably not, though it would be nice. WTKR still has this theme in one of two ways. They either recorded it off a network satellite feed in 1998 or still have the network's promotional CD from that year.

Or on second thought, since you said it was an ID, they might have taken the theme straight from the Web site of composer Frankie Vinci. He has put up the final 20 seconds of the '98 version.

[Wolverine607]

Also, the local CBS station in Detroit WWJTV uses this theme for their local television coverage of Detroit Lions pregame shows and preseason football games. I think it is probably a common thing for local CBS affialates to use this theme for preseason football games of their local teams, even though CBS no longer uses it themselves.

[bkahler419]

BRING BACK THIS THEME!

even if they had to rework it, this one was one of the best.

[Eyeshield26]

oooooh if only this theme didn't have the commentary on it. it would be heading straight to my MP3 player.

[olymsailor83]

o..m..g... I REMEMBER THIS FREAKIN THEME!! i LOVED IT!!!!

[kingofpuppets]

this theme is way better than any other

[mrkingofkings]

I remember that CBS brought back NFL on CBS that made me start to watch football again. My dad watched the 49ers vs. NY Jets game on KPIX CBS 5 (because KPIX and '9ers are in the bay area). '9ers won and continue their sucess to the playoffs until Atlana beat us in the playoffs. I love NFL on CBS. Go Niners. Fox sucks!

[rlaproductions]

The best NFL theme ever...and CBS' new theme is lame; almost puts me to sleep

[shadowspeeding7]

no way dude, the new CBS theme is awesome

[rlaproductions]

dude, I think the new theme is for CBS' 80-year-old golf fans. They can't get TOO excited...hahaha

[anthonymonroe]

Absolutely!! This theme is the best ever!!

[anthonymonroe]

Absolutely!! This theme gets you hyped for any football game!! The game could be between two teams that are both 0-15!!

[jasoncollinslover35]

this music was awesome bring it back

[dbadefense1990]

For some reason, this theme song reminds me of the 1998 AFC title game (Jets vs. Broncos).

[ToroRosso20]

I predict the Lions will beat the Titans 24-20.

[notlobian4ever]

Lol.

[ToroRosso20]

Game of the year this Thanksgiving

Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions!!

[waltlantz]

That is brutal

[ashiza]

old and past its prime...

[BenjaminGay]

DEFINITELY THE BEST NFL THEME OF THEM ALL.....brings me back to all those crazy 4 o clock games between steelers and browns, chiefs and broncos, bills and dolphins!!!! MY team is in the nfc but AFC was the shit in early 90's

[thndrct218]

I think you mean was shit in the early 90s... NFC dominated them back than, and back in the early 90s, CBS carried the NFC, not the AFC

[scir91]

my FAV NFL theme of all time!

[thugbauer1]

I believe that 49ers-Jets game was won on a 96 yard OT run by Garrison Hearst. The Steelers beat the Jaguars in that game to go to 7-4 and pull within one game of the AFC Central lead, but went on to lose their last five, starting with the infamous Thanksgiving "coin toss" game in Detroit on their way to a 7-9 finish. The Broncos, after completing their sweep of the Chiefs, went on to win their second straight Super Bowl. And the high school student who murdered his English teacher got 25 years.

[soulfulwarrior]

Go Jags

[TheManAbove]

It's good to hear this one again.

[chisports14]

does anyone have the intro video that goes w/this theme??

[YBenayoun]

sick theme, bring it back CBS

[phantomlord54]

For the first second or so it sounds as if the original is about to play, but not to be

[lovwhitemeat]

'98 Broncos... I miss those days. Go Broncos!!!!

[e521soediv]

is the 98 broncos superbowl game on youtube? because i cant find it. all i find is stupid commercial BS

[EdmacZ]

1998 was the year I started watching football at age 9.

-The Steelers and the rest of the league were beginning to see how much Kordell Stewart sucks.

-The 'Dirty Bird' Falcons

-Rookie Randy Moss and the Vikings were tearing up the league.

-Broncos closing in on a repeat title. Incredible team that year.

-49ers and Jets were pretty good that year as well.

[rangerking1]

Falcons went to first sb and lost

[faysal21adigun]

I think Brian Billick was hired as Ravens Head Coach in '98 as well.

[dpinzow]

The Jets were 25 minutes from the Super Bowl, leading Denver 10-0 in the AFC Championship Game...then Elway hit Ed McCaffrey on a broken play. Denver scored a TD, never looked back.

The other turning point was when Dave Meggett (yes, that Dave Meggett who was good with the Giants a decade before) muffed a kickoff in 50 mph winds which Denver recovered

[jk59beads]

DAVE FREAKING MEGGETT!!

You are my hero.

[teddyjun1]

that was kevyn williams not david meggett. Meggett did not play for the Jets during that regular season.

[SuperBowlExpert]

Actually, Dave Meggett DID play for the Jets in 1998. He joined the team late in the regular season, played two games for them and stuck around through their postseason run.

[thndrct218]

Yeah that fuckin game hurt

[n40p69]

I loved this theme music.

[mrmonty86]

Thats is a good theme. But the only time you hear it now is on westwood one radio.

[BradGiovanniItalia]

You can hear this theme on Baltimore's ESPN Radio 1300. Chris McAllister, Todd Heap and Joe Flacco have all done promos for the station with this theme music in the background. It rocks!

[faysal21adigun]

I think Ray Lewis,Ed Reed and Bart Scott also have done promos too.

[phantomlord54]

I hate this version. Just as Fox has never abandoned its original theme, CBS should never have abandoned the original version of this theme

[FreshWesss]

I can see how people like this. I grew up in the 80's / 90's, but this is a little too melodramatic.

The current theme really gets me pumped up.

[robg5555]

My mistake, this was 1998 because the jets first game of that season was against the 49ers. Kinda weird that they already had the new giants logo in there

[CowboysForever81]

That wasn't the actual graphics of the intro, it's just the theme music, so that's why the logo was the way it was.

[robg5555]

This can't be 1998 because the giants logo at :09 wasnt introduced until 2000

[gntluvr]

wow!

that was only 10 years ago

look how different graphics are nowadays

[highwater03]

I wish they would go back to this one. But the current one isn't bad though.

[martincruz1988]

beautiful theme song. majestic

[supermariofj]

lol! greg gumbel at the end when the broncos went 13-0 and were the team to beat.

[JZ2001JC]

Bring this theme back please.

[supermariofj]

what's the name of the theme song? this so reminds me of football when i was a kid. memories. btw, isn't greg gumbel announcing the jets-49ers game where they went into overtime???

[ToroRosso20]

You could have not done the Chiefs being swept:(

[stevopotpie]

What is it about a simple theme that makes an NFL game so dramatic? I don't know, but I really miss this one, it was better than FOX's 25 year theme.

[mdlax52]

this game reminds me on the ravens winning the superbowl, killing the giants 34-7

[dpinzow]

"60 Minutes will be seen in its entirety after the conclusion of this game"--Pat Summerall

[VikeFan284296]

I'm 15, and watch so much football. I started watching the NFL in about 1998, but 2000 was when I watched it regularly, and I LOVED this theme. I still like the one that they have now for CBS, but this makes me think of when the Titans were the team to beat in the AFC, Kurt Warner was the NFL's greatest thing, and the Dolphins were starting life without Dan Marino.

[notlobian4ever]

I'm same, just about two years before you. I started watching in about 1995/6, but really took off when Denver won the two Super Bowls, which this obviously reminds me of. I LOVE hearing them talk about TD even now.

[emkay14]

Dude, you were 5 in 1998

[VikeFan284296]

okay, so it's bad for a 5 year old to watch football? oh, okay.

seriously, i did. and i don't see what is so amazing about it.

[EdmacZ]

Touched by an Angel! XD

Ah, the nineties.

[lilwheezyoldy]

i like this song so much. if i had total control of what theme songs 2 play 4 nfl on cbs games, i would choose this one.

[mrwrestlingtape1]

Remember the hype of Dr. Quinn Medicine Women after the NFL? I am only 21 and I remember that. LOL.

[devils950003]

Yes, lol. Good stuff. I'm trying to remember what came on after football on NBC if they had a late game.

[CoolKidHalter]

hahahaha I remember they would always advertise Touched by an Angel

[lbfortress]

I miss those days. That was a fun Niners team.

[packersrock58]

lol i love this song

[mediadude08]

The Jets-49ers game was re-shown on NFL Network recently.

[Simpsonssince90]

I remember the day I saw that game. I was working at this sports bar and I went nuts when Garrison Hearst took it to the house for the win. This tune brought back high school memories.

[lbfortress]

I thought this was a good theme, I wish they'd kept this theme.

[mediadude08]

Me too, the 1992-93 and 1998 versions were the best. I didn't mind the 1999-2000 and 2001-02 editions, but the Posthumus Zone theme they've been using since 2003 badly needs to go.

[palmercomm]

1986 theme all the way!

[sonicraider1987]

Is there any way you can repost this with all the announcers on this completely gone?

[devswartz]

I LOVE the synth at the very beginning. It sounds so heavenly.

[Pitino4Pres]

What a game that was... Jets/49ers to begin the season... Garrison Hearst with the 96 yard run in OT

[thndrct218]

Yeah I remember that game was an offensive shootout - it was the kind of game fans dream about watching when they go to the park

[rotakttt]

What a theme!!

But no the best...

[mrwrestlingtape1]

Unfortunately Denver lost :( F those Giants.

[notlobian4ever]

16-0 record or Super Bowl championship? I've no bitterness anymore towards NYG, it's all about winning the big one. Keep your perfection efforts, 16-0 but no ring? Pfft no chance.

[lovwhitemeat]

Remind me of the '98 Broncos!!!! Go Broncos!!! What a season!!!! I'll never forget!!!

[notlobian4ever]

Yeah reminds me of that. Reminds that we were the best once, not so long ago. And we can be again!!

[lovwhitemeat]

CBS need to go back to this theme song!!!

[Donghead86]

INCREDIBLE JOB with the editing, 5/5 stars.

Just wondering, if you had the file with the music and/or music with the editing. Please let me know, and keep up the good work!

[thatdudecozz89]

I was nine years old, when this theme was around (1998)...I wish CBS would bring that back...Don't get me wrong, the "Posthumous Zone" is straight, but I like this one, the one they used from 1992-1993, the other one from 1990-1991, etc.

[kennyscotten]

best nfl theme ever

[SuperBowlExpert]

By the way, that's a hell of an editing job you did, especially considering you had announcers' voicers to get around...

[notlobian4ever]

Yeah, British Broncos fan, and full-time Raider hater.

[notlobian4ever]

Could is a big word, but right now when everyone is 0-0-0 it is anyone's Super Bowl. I think with our schedule even we could be in with a shout of at least a playoff spot. I don't think I'd be surprised to see another 16-0 from New England though.

[notlobian4ever]

Very true. You ask Belichick which he prefers. 16-0 and no championship, or 14-2 and Super Bowl winners. I've a feeling I know which he would rather have.

[highwater03]

Brings chills down my spine.

[BradJamesBroncofan]

Please bring this back, CBS. I especially like the references to the Broncos' successes in this clip!

[SuperBowlExpert]

How about the Jets and the 49ers from Week 1? That one was a dandy with Garrison Hearst winning it for the Niners with a 96-yard touchdown run in overtime.

[thndrct218]

Broncos vs. Giants... I remember that game; that was the game where Denver came into the Meadowlands 13-0 and the Giants ended their quest for history with a last minute touchdown pass (The Broncos would finish 14-2 on their way to repreating as champs, so not all was bad)

[mrwrestlingtape1]

Awesome compilation.

[mediadude08]

Wish they would bring this or the 1992-93 original back!

[rjpsuh06]

I agree. Someone write a letter to Tony Pettiti.

[nygn07]

The GREATEST sports theme song ever. As a musician, I really love this composition. Hits all the sweet spots! Absolutely perfect!

BRING IT BACK CBS!!!