Longtime WPXI-TV sportscaster Sam Nover, a mainstay in Pittsburgh media for decades, has died at age 77.

Nover, a former WPXI sports director, "had a huge impact on Channel 11 and was one of the groundbreaking personalities in Pittsburgh television," the station said in reporting his death Tuesday shortly after 6 p.m.

Sad news here at Channel 11. Former sports director Sam Nover, a Pittsburgh media legend who spent decades covering Steel City sports here at WPXI, has died at 77. Our tribute to him is live now on 11 News: https://t.co/MMd9x5X7fr pic.twitter.com/eUPKPZ7PkH

— WPXI (@WPXI) December 4, 2018

Nover spent nearly 30 years at WPXI as well as a stint for NBC Sports in New York. He did the final sit-down television interview with Pirates legend Roberto Clemente shortly before the Puerto Rican baseball player's death in 1972.

In Oct 1972, Sam Nover did a haunting interviewing that would turn out to be Clemente’s last.It is really worth watching tonight.https://t.co/KByAWRZ3wi

— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) December 4, 2018

"A consummate gentleman and perfectionist, Sam awed us with his talent and professionalism," WPXI's Peggy Finnegan said. "He was one of a kind, Network level talent. And he was a star in Pittsburgh."

A Detroit native, Nover spent much of his time in Florida but relished returning to Pittsburgh for a few months every year, the station said.

In memory of Sam Nover, here's Pat Livingston of The Pittsburgh Press' February 1980 tribute to Nover and Bill Robinson. #RIP pic.twitter.com/AH3HrrX9FO

— PGH Sports History (@PGH_Sports_Date) December 4, 2018

When Nover wasn't talking about sports, said Finnegan, he was sharing stories about his daughters, Dana and Molly.

"Our deepest sympathies to the family," she said.

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