The Legend of Jimmy the Greek
“The greatest odds he ever faced were his own”
5.8
2009
53m
Documentary
“The NFL Today” on CBS was one of the preeminent sports programs on television in the early 1980s. It was a perfect combination of reporting, analysis, predictions, humor and talent. But there was no personality on the show more popular than Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder. Born in Steubenville, Ohio, to Greek immigrants, Jimmy overcame childhood tragedy, moved to Las Vegas, and eventually became the biggest name in the world of sports handicapping. When CBS added him as an “analyst” on “The NFL Today,” “The Greek” not only further increased his stature as a sort of national folk hero, but he also gained an air of respectability never before associated with gamblers. Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Fritz Mitchell, who broke in as an intern on “The NFL Today,” will examine Snyder’s impact on the growth of sports gambling, while also taking a fresh look at The Greek’s tragic downfall.
Key Crew
Director
Fritz Mitchell
Producers
Mark Durand
Wendy Yamano
John Dahl
Writers
Fritz Mitchell
Gary Paul Gates
Music
Eric Liebman
Keywords
sportsgamblingamerican footballsports documentarynfl (national football league)sports gambling
