Sam Spence, whose energetic, muscular musical compositions were an integral part of NFL Films' celebration of pro football, died Saturday morning at a nursing center in Lewisville.
Spence, 88, had been in ill health for several months after returning to the United States from Munich, where he and his late wife, Friedl, lived for many years and where he composed and recorded the songs that still serve for many fans as the soundtrack of the NFL.
His son, Kim Spence, said the fact that Spence died on the eve of the 50th Super Bowl reflected his flair for the dramatic, as reflected in songs like "Up She Rises," "Pony Soldiers," "Let's Go Big O" and "The Over the Hill Gang.