Rebecca “Becky” Dixon (born April 14, 1951) is an American television broadcaster. …who is best known as the co-host of ABC’s Wide World of Sports alongside Frank Gifford from 1987 to 1988. In 1986, Dixon became the first woman to anchor a network sports show when she became the co-host of ABC’s Wide World of Sports….where in addition to her role as co-host….Dixon served as a reporter who covered major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, Winter Olympics, Triple Crown, and World Gymnastics Championships.
Francis Newton Gifford (August 16, 1930 – August 9, 2015) was an American football player and television sports commentator. After a 12-year Hall Of Fame playing career as a halfback and flanker for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL)….he was a play-by-play announcer and commentator for 27 years on ABC’s Monday Night Football. Gifford was also a reporter and commentator on other ABC sports programs….such as coverage of the Olympics….including the controversial men’s basketball Gold Medal game between the United States and Soviet Union at the 1972 Munich Games….which Gifford called alongside Bill Russell….plus skiing and golf….and he announced Evel Knievel’s jumps for ABC’s Wide World of Sports in the 1970’s….including when Knievel failed to clear 13 buses at Wembley Stadium in 1975.
This 1987 piece with Becky Dixon is a special feature in which they provide an update of how preparations for the 1988 Calgary Winter Games is proceeding….which both covered for ABC.
