1972 NFL Season
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) went on strike against CBS on November 3.[1] There were several broadcasts that were flat-out canceled due to some skirmishes and vandalism of equipment. CBS used supervisors to man some other games but had insufficient personnel to present all of its planned telecasts, some with skeletal camera crews or a lack of replay capabilities. This led to the latest disgorged games in the post-merger era, as three games were carried by substitute crews to avoid trouble and produced by local crews. Games not televised because of strike issues are noted. The strike ended December 30.[2]
And of course, * = uncertain; any confirmation help is necessary.
Preseason
Friday 7/28: Cowboys-College All-Stars (Chicago), 9:30, ABC. Chris Schenkel, Bud Wilkinson, Howard Cosell
Saturday 7/29: Giants-Chiefs (Canton, OH - Hall of Fame Game), 4:00, ABC. Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell
Saturday 8/19: Raiders-Rams, 9:00, NBC. Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Friday 8/25: Redskins-Lions, 9:00, CBS. Ray Scott, Tom Brookshier, Don Criqui
Saturday 8/26: Jets-Cowboys, 9:00, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Sunday 8/27: Rams-Chiefs, 9:00, ABC. Lindsey Nelson, Don Meredith
Friday 9/1: Colts-Lions (Tampa), 8:30, NBC. Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Saturday 9/2: Cowboys-Chiefs, 9:00, CBS. Frank Glieber, Pat Summerall, Don Criqui
Sunday 9/10: Vikings-Dolphins, 6:00, CBS. Jack Whitaker, Pat Summerall, Don Criqui
Note: Nelson was presumably lent to ABC for the 8/27 LA-KC game with Gifford and Cosell in Munich for the Summer Olympics.
Regular season
Week 1 (NBC DH)
Sunday 9/17:
Bengals-Patriots, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Johnny Morris
Packers-Browns, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Frank Clarke*
Jets-Bills, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Raiders-Steelers, 1, NBC, Ken Coleman, Dave Kocourek
Falcons-Bears, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Bruce Roberts*
Giants-Lions, 2, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton*
Eagles-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Andy Musser*
Cardinals-Colts, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Jim Thacker*
Oilers-Broncos, 4, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Dolphins-Chiefs, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Saints-Rams, 4, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Gil Stratton*
Chargers-49ers, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Monday 9/18:
Redskins-Vikings, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 2 (CBS DH)
Sunday 9/24:
Falcons-Patriots, 1, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Dick Stockton*
Browns-Eagles, 1, NBC, Ken Coleman, Paul Maguire
Cowboys-Giants, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Frank Clarke
Oilers-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Johnny Morris
Steelers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Cardinals-Redskins, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Andy Musser*
49ers-Bills, 1, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Gil Stratton*
Rams-Bears, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Jim Thacker*
Jets-Colts, 2, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Raiders-Packers, 2, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Broncos-Chargers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Dave Kocourek
Vikings-Lions, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Bruce Roberts*
Monday 9/25:
Chiefs-Saints, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 3 (NBC DH)
Sunday 10/1:
Colts-Bills, 1, NBC, Bill O'Donnell, Alan Miller
Bengals-Browns, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
Rams-Falcons, 1, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Andy Musser*
Redskins-Patriots, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Dick Stockton*
Cowboys-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Frank Clarke*
Lions-Bears, 2, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Gale Sayers, Bruce Roberts*
Jets-Oilers, 2, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Steelers-Cardinals, 2, NBC, Ross Porter*, Dave Kocourek*
49ers-Saints, 2, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Ron Barr*
Chiefs-Broncos, 4, NBC, Bill Enis, Willie Davis
Dolphins-Vikings, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Chargers-Raiders, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Monday 10/2:
Giants-Eagles, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 4 (CBS DH)
Sunday 10/8:
Broncos-Bengals, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Lions-Falcons, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Dick Stockton*
Chiefs-Browns, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis
Dolphins-Jets, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Dave Kocourek
Patriots-Bills, 1, NBC, Ken Coleman, Paul Maguire
Saints-Giants, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Jim Thacker*
Eagles-Redskins, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Andy Musser*
Bears-Packers, 2, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Gale Sayers, Bruce Roberts*
Steelers-Cowboys, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Willie Davis
Cardinals-Vikings, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Frank Clarke*
Chargers-Colts, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, George Ratterman
49ers-Rams, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Ron Barr*
Monday 10/9:
Raiders-Oilers, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 5 (CBS DH)
Sunday 10/15:
Bears-Browns, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts*
Oilers-Steelers, 1, KTRK-Houston, Dan Lovett, Jim Norton
Rams-Eagles, 1, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Gale Sayers, Jim Thacker
Jets-Patriots, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tucker Fredrickson, Ron Barr*
Chargers-Dolphins, 1, KCST-San Diego, Jerry Gross, Mike Smith
Falcons-Saints, 2, CBS, Ed Thilenius*, Johnny Sauer
Redskins-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Jim Morse, Dick Stockton*
Bills-Raiders, 4, NBC, Jay Randolph*, Kyle Rote
Bengals-Chiefs, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis
Cowboys-Colts, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Frank Clarke*
Vikings-Broncos, 4, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor
Giants-49ers, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Gil Stratton
Monday 10/16:
Packers-Lions, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 6 (CBS DH)
Sunday 10/22:
Colts-Jets, 1, WBFF/WJZ-Baltimore, Jim Karvellas, Dave Kocourek
Bills-Dolphins, 1, WKBW-Buffalo, Rick Azar, Paul Maguire
Patriots-Steelers, 1, WCVB-Boston, Jay Randolph, Alan Miller
Cardinals-Giants, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Andy Musser*
Falcons-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Frank Clarke
Browns-Oilers, 2, WKBF-Cleveland, Ken Coleman, Willie Davis
Eagles-Chiefs, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Jim Thacker*
Chargers-Lions, 2, KCST-San Diego, Bill Enis, Kyle Rote
Bengals-Rams, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, Al DeRogatis
Cowboys-Redskins, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Frank Glieber
Broncos-Raiders, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, George Ratterman
Saints-49ers, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Ron Barr*
Monday 10/23:
Vikings-Bears, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 7 (NBC DH)
Sunday 10/29:
Oilers-Bengals, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Patriots-Jets, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Steelers-Bills, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Paul Maguire
49ers-Falcons, 1, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton*
Redskins-Giants, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Andy Musser*
Bears-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Bruce Roberts*
Vikings-Packers, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Frank Clarke*
Eagles-Saints, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Jim Thacker*
Browns-Broncos, 4, NBC, Ken Coleman, Dave Kocourek
Chiefs-Chargers, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Rams-Raiders, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Gil Stratton
Dolphins-Colts, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Monday 10/30:
Lions-Cowboys, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 8 (NBC DH)
Sunday 11/5:
Bears-Lions, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Frank Clarke*
Bengals-Steelers, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Broncos-Giants, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Oilers-Browns, 1, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Dolphins-Bills, 1, NBC, Ken Coleman, Dave Kocourek
Cardinals-Eagles, 1, KSD-St. Louis, Jay Randolph, Ron Jacober
Redskins-Jets, 1, No telecast (IBEW strike). CBS intended to telecast the game, but cables at Shea Stadium were cut. CHI-DET was shown to stations that were to receive this game.[3]
Saints-Vikings, 2, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Andy Musser*
49ers-Packers (Milwaukee), 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Bruce Roberts*
Falcons-Rams, 4, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Gale Sayers, Gil Stratton*
Cowboys-Chargers, 4, KDFW-Dallas/CBS ad-hoc, Frank Glieber, Dick Risenhoover
Raiders-Chiefs, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Monday 11/6:
Colts-Patriots, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 9 (CBS DH)
Sunday 11/12:
Bills-Jets, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Paul Maguire
Chiefs-Steelers, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Patriots-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Dave Kocourek
Saints-Falcons, 1, CBS. Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Andy Musser*
Giants-Redskins, 1, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton*
Raiders-Bengals, 1, NBC, Bill Enis*, George Ratterman
Packers-Bears, 2, WBAY-Green Bay/CBS ad-hoc, Roy Broyles, Chuck Lane
Eagles-Oilers, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Jim Thacker*
Cardinals-Cowboys, 2, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Frank Clarke
Colts-49ers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Broncos-Rams, 4, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Lions-Vikings, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Ron Barr*
Monday 11/13:
Browns-Chargers, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 10 (CBS DH)
Sunday 11/19:
Colts-Bengals, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Willie Davis
Bills-Patriots, 1, NBC, Ross Porter, Dave Kocourek
Cowboys-Eagles, 1, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Frank Clarke
Saints-Lions, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Jim Thacker*
Jets-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Steelers-Browns, 1, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Packers-Oilers, 2, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Ron Barr*
Giants-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Dick Stockton*
Chargers-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
49ers-Bears, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Bruce Roberts*
Vikings-Rams, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Gil Stratton*
Raiders-Broncos, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Monday 11/20:
Falcons-Redskins, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 11 (NBC DH)
Thursday 11/23:
Jets-Lions, Noon, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
49ers-Cowboys, 3:30, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Frank Glieber
Sunday 11/26:
Bills-Browns, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Broncos-Falcons, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Packers-Redskins, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Jim Thacker*
Vikings-Steelers, 1, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Bruce Roberts
Eagles-Giants, 1, No telecast (IBEW strike)
Bengals-Bears, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Johnny Morris
Rams-Saints, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Frank Clarke*
Patriots-Colts, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Oilers-Chargers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Chiefs-Raiders, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Monday 11/27:
Cardinals-Dolphins, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 12 (CBS DH)
Sunday 12/3:
Browns-Steelers, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Oilers-Falcons, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Dolphins-Patriots, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph, Johnny Morris
Saints-Jets, 1, No telecast (IBEW strike)
Giants-Bengals, 1, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Jim Thacker*
Redskins-Eagles, 1, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Dick Stockton*
Bills-Colts, 2, NBC, Ken Coleman, Dave Kocourek
Bears-Vikings, 2, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Bruce Roberts*
Broncos-Chiefs, 2, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Lions-Packers, 2, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Frank Clarke*
Cowboys-Cardinals, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Gil Stratton*
Raiders-Chargers, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Monday 12/4:
Rams-49ers, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 13 (NBC DH)
Saturday 12/9:
Browns-Bengals, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Redskins-Cowboys, 4, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Don Criqui
Sunday 12/10:
Bears-Eagles, 1, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Jim Thacker*
Lions-Bills, 1, CBS, Jack Drees, George Connor, Dick Stockton*
Dolphins-Giants, 1, NBC, Charlie Jones, Kyle Rote
Packers-Vikings, 2, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Bruce Roberts*
Rams-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Gil Stratton*
Patriots-Saints, 2, NBC, Ken Coleman*, Dave Kocourek
Chargers-Broncos, 2, NBC, Jay Randolph, Johnny Morris
Falcons-49ers, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Ron Barr*
Colts-Chiefs, 4, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Steelers-Oilers, 4, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Monday 12/11:
Jets-Raiders, 9, ABC, Frank Gifford, Don Meredith, Howard Cosell
Week 14 (CBS DH)
Saturday 12/16:
Colts-Dolphins, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Vikings-49ers, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton
Sunday 12/17:
Bills-Redskins, 1, NBC, Jay Randolph*, Dave Kocourek*
Browns-Jets, 1, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Packers-Saints, 1, CBS, Don Criqui, Irv Cross, Jim Thacker*
Chiefs-Falcons, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis
Bengals-Oilers, 2, NBC, Bill Enis, Paul Maguire
Eagles-Cardinals, 2, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Jim Morse, Bruce Roberts*
Bears-Raiders, 4, CBS, Lindsey Nelson, Johnny Sauer, Ron Barr*
Lions-Rams, 4, CBS, Jack Buck, Tom Brookshier, Gil Stratton*
Patriots-Broncos, 4, NBC, Charlie Jones, George Ratterman
Giants-Cowboys, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Frank Clarke
Steelers-Chargers, 4, NBC, Ross Porter, Willie Davis
Playoffs
Divisional playoffs
Saturday 12/23:
Raiders-Steelers, 1, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Jay Randolph
Cowboys-49ers, 4, CBS, Ray Scott, Pat Summerall, Dick Stockton
Sunday 12/24:
Packers-Redskins, Noon, CBS, Jack Whitaker, Tom Brookshier, Bruce Roberts
Browns-Dolphins, 3, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote
Note: The OAK-PIT game featured the fabled "Immaculate Reception".
Conference championships
Sunday 12/31:
Dolphins-Steelers, Noon, NBC, Jim Simpson, Kyle Rote, Bill Enis
Cowboys-Redskins, 3, CBS, Jack Buck, Pat Summerall, Jack Whitaker
Super Bowl VIII from Los Angeles
Sunday 1/14: Dolphins-Redskins, 3:30, NBC, Curt Gowdy, Al DeRogatis, Bill Enis
Pro Bowl from Irving, TX
Sunday 1/21: NFC-AFC, 4, CBS, Frank Glieber, Alex Hawkins, Gil Stratton*
References
- ↑ "CBS Hit By Strike Of IBEW". The Herald. Provo, Utah. UPI. November 5, 1972. p. 18. Retrieved September 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "CBS Technicians End Eight-Week Strike". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. Associated Press. December 30, 1972. p. 10. Retrieved September 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "CBS Says Strikers Cut Cables". The Press Democrat. Santa Rosa, California. UPI. November 6, 1972. p. 12. Retrieved September 5, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
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