The Legend of Jimmy the Greek

I would like to think that I know who Jimmy the Greek is because his name is known to every male of a certain age, but then I don't think I fall into that age category.

After all, I was 10 when Snyder was let go from his position on The NFL Today on CBS, and how many normal 10-year-olds know the name of the shady looking guy on the NFL pre-game show who makes predictions that people across North America followed religiously?

The answer: kids who grew up with gambling; kids like me.

Anybody who has placed a bet against the spread or at a Las Vegas sports book can thank Jimmy the Greek for that opportunity. This is the man who made the "Vegas line" what it is today, and took betting on sports from being something discussed in dark corners and done in even more shadowy locations into the mainstream.

While he couldn't sit on the air and specifically tell the audience at home to take the points on this game or lay the points on another, Snyder spent 12 years dispensing his brand of insight alongside Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, and former player Irv Cross on the show that paved the way for the litany of preview shows that have followed over the years.

Though there are still plenty of people who view gambling as nothing but trouble, there is no denying that betting on sports has become far more mainstream over the last 25 years.

Just take a gander at how many viewers this year's World Series of Poker final table drew to ESPN and you'll see how prevalent and influential gambling has become. The days of sports betting being a back-room activity are long gone, and Jimmy the Greek is partially responsible for that.