Tony Verna, Inventor of TV Instant Replay, Died in 2015

TONY VERNA, 81  Died Jan. 18, 2015.

A TV director and producer who invented instant replay for live sports 51 years ago, died.

CBS used instant replay for the first time in the Dec. 7, 1963, Army-Navy game in Philadelphia, after Verna developed a method to cue the tape to pinpoint the play he wanted to immediately air again.  he said he was looking for a way to fill the boring gaps between plays during a football telecast.

The concept was so new that when Army quarterback Rollie Stichweh scored a touchdown, announcer Lindsey Nelson had to warn viewers: "This is not live!  Ladies and gentlemen, Army did not score again!"

I sure like that instant replay, but really wish that whenever they do it, there be the words "Instant Replay" on the screen.  This has led to cheering and crying on several occasions.  Back when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2013, there were two quick scores within a few seconds at the end of the game and everyone was asking and wondering, "Did the Hawks score again or was that an instant replay?"