Phyllis George, Miss America winner and NFL sportscaster, dead at 70
Wholesome, blond Miss America 1971 winner Phyllis George — who became one of the NFL’s first female sportscasters and then first lady of Kentucky — has died at 70.
George died Thursday of complications from a blood disorder, said her second ex-husband, former Kentucky governor John Brown Jr.
“Phyllis was a great asset to Kentucky,” said Brown, who divorced George in 1998. “We had a great partnership. I think we enjoyed every single day.”
Four years after the Texas-born beauty claimed the Miss America crown, CBS Sports hired her as one of the hosts of its popular Sunday pregame show, “The NFL Today.” Teaming with Brent Musberger, Irv Cross and Jimmy “the Greek” Snyder, the iconic combo was a football Sunday staple for nearly a decade before she left the program in 1984.
Rest In Peace Phyllis George 🙏🏻. A true pioneer who approached her job with enthusiasm, empathy and humour. She was herself-charming and funny ..helped her audiences connect with some of the great sports figures of the day. Condolences to her family & all who loved her. ❤️
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) May 16, 2020
George recalled being blitzed by hate mail after her hire amid the burgeoning feminist movement.
“I felt they didn’t know who Phyllis George was,” she explained in a 1999 interview. “They played me up as a former Miss America, a sex symbol.
“I can’t help how I look, but below the surface, I was a hardworking woman. If I hadn’t made that work, women eventually would have come come into sportscasting, but it would have taken them longer.”
She was crowned Miss Texas 1970, and took the Miss America tiara the following year. One of her national competitors was Miss South Dakota Mary Hart, the future longtime host of “Entertainment Tonight.”
After her victory, George also briefly co-hosted “The New Candid Camera” in the mid-1970s. She also appeared on “The $25,000 Pyramid” and co-hosted with TV sportscaster Vin Scully on “Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes.”
“Rest in peace, Phyllis George. A true pioneer who approached the job with enthusiasm, empathy and humor,” tweeted ESPN anchor Hannah Storm. “She was herself — charming and funny . . . helped her audience connect with some of the great sports figures of the day.”
She married Hollywood studio executive Robert Evans in 1977, but they divorced a year later. In 1979, she married Brown, who was elected governor that same year.
George is survived by daughter, journalist Pamela Brown; and son, Lincoln Brown.
