Other cities making pitches that day included Charlotte, Nashville, Oakland and Sacramento. (In all, 11 cities had applied for NFL expansion.) But they didn't have James Earl Jones.

Photos: James Earl Jones through the years 1982: James Earl Jones, left, congratulates South African actor Zakes Mokae who holds the Tony he won in New York, Sunday, June 7, 1982, as best ...

Other cities making pitches that day included Charlotte, Nashville, Oakland and Sacramento. (In all, 11 cities had applied for NFL expansion.) But they didn't have James Earl Jones.

James Earl Jones was one of America's most distinguished stage actors and recognizable film actors. His voice seemed to be everywhere, from Star Wars' Darth Vader to The Lion King to CNN.