COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Before he played quarterback on Sundays with the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow played for Athens High School in southeastern Ohio.

And he was part of Football Friday Nite.

The highlights show has been a staple for decades on NBC4, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024 as Columbus’ first television station. Generations of future college and NFL standouts have been on the show, Burrow included.

It’s hosted now by NBC4 Sports Director Joe Nugent, who succeeded current First at 4 and NBC4 at 5 Anchor Jerod Smalley, among a group that also included Doug Lessells and Dave Maetzold.

But what’s been part of the show longer than any one athlete or host has been its theme. Columbus musician Arnett Howard composed it for NBC4, with it debuting for the second season of the show.

“I mean, that theme song, it took a life of its own,” Lessells said.

“Bands wanted to play it. It was really an iconic part of central Ohio Friday nights,” Maetzold said.

Watch: Football Friday Nite intro and theme from 2019

As much as high school football can be a part of the fabric in many central Ohio communities, watching Football Friday Nite has been there alongside it.

“You played the game, then you got somebody you went to somebody’s house. You watched Football Friday Nite,” Hartley coach Brad Burchfield said of his playing days. “The kids do the exact same now. … You can’t wait to see your highlight and then tell everybody about it.”

And the tradition returns, again, for its 33rd season on Aug. 23.