in favor of Steve Pisarciewicz. Personnel director Larry Wilson, a Hall of Fame safety for the team from 1960-72 and later the franchise's general manager, served as interim for the last three games. Uniform changes Several changes were made to the officiating uniforms, including: Referees were outfitted with black identifying hats, while all other officials continued to wear white hats. This was the same as the Canadian Football League at the time, but the opposite of American high school and college football. For the first time, each official's position was identified on his shirt. The position was abbreviated on the front pocket of the shirt and then spelled out on the back above the number. The numbering system for officials was altered, with officials numbered separately by position (3 through 20) rather than as an entire group, making duplicate numbers among officials common. The TV numbers on the Dallas Cowboys' blue jerseys moved from the sleeves to the shoulders, matching the white jerseys, which moved the TV numbers to the shoulders in 1974. The New York Giants began wearing their white pants with their white jerseys, discontinuing their blue pants The Washington Redskins replaced their gold pants with burgundy pants with their white jerseys and white pants with their burgundy jerseys. The shade of burgundy was also darkened. The San Diego Chargers replaced the blue and white stripe on the yellow pants with a white lightning bolt outlined in blue. Television This was the second year under the league's four-year broadcast contracts with ABC, CBS, and NBC to televise Monday Night Football, the NFC package, and the AFC package, respectively. Fran Tarkenton began serving as a fill-in color commentator for ABC, while Bryant Gumbel became the sole host of NBC's pregame show NFL '79. Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen replaced Curt Gowdy and John Brodie as NBC's lead commentary team. Rather than demote Gowdy, NBC traded him away to CBS for Don Criqui. With Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier remaining as CBS' lead commentary team, and Vin Scully and George Allen as the #2 team, Gowdy was paired with Hank Stram as the network's #3 team. Deaths February February 26- Urban Henry, Age 43, Defensive Tackle for the Los Angeles Rams in 1961, the Green Bay Packers in 1963, and Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964. March March 10- Beattie Feathers, age 69, Running Back for the Chicago Bears from 1934-1937, Brooklyn