Olympians
Ed Sabol
Edward Sabol
Sport:
swimming
Country Represented:
United States
Years Competed:
1936
Olympic Info:
Chosen for the 1936 Olympics team, Sabol declined to participate in the Games by publicly saying that he would not swim in a pool built by Adolf Hitler.
Career Highlights:
In 1938, Sabol was named All-America in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle while attending Ohio State. That year, he was also a member of the 440-yard freestyle relay team that won the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) indoor championship.
Sport:
swimming
Country Represented:
United States
Years Competed:
1936
Olympic Info:
Chosen for the 1936 Olympics team, Sabol declined to participate in the Games by publicly saying that he would not swim in a pool built by Adolf Hitler.
Career Highlights:
In 1938, Sabol was named All-America in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle while attending Ohio State. That year, he was also a member of the 440-yard freestyle relay team that won the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) indoor championship.
A men's clothing salesman, Ed created Blair Motor Pictures (named for his daughter) in 1962 and successfully petitioned the NFL to film the championship game that year. The film, titled Pro Football's Longest Day was so successful that Sabol was given the rights to the following two NFL Championships Games. In 1964, Sabol convinced the league they needed its own film entity to promote the league and NFL Films was born; they have won 65 television Emmy awards. A member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in the media section, Sabol is the founder of NFL Films, Inc. with his son Steve.
Birth and Death Dates:
b. Sept. 11, 1916
Origin:
Atlantic City, New Jersey