spurschick
12-26-2005, 01:39 PM
Monday Night Football: A Look Back Through The Years
Staff and wire reports
December 26 2005
The first score: Browns quarterback Bill Nelson completed an 8-yard TD pass to Gary Collins with 7:04 left in the first quarter in Cleveland's 31-21 victory over the Jets Sept. 21, 1970.
The first crew: Producer, Roone Arledge; director, Chet Forte.
The first commercials: Cost $65,000 for a 60-second spot.
The first booth: Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Don Meredith.
Followed by: Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, Alex Karras, Fran Tarkenton, O.J. Simpson, Joe Namath, Dan Dierdorf, Boomer Esiason, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller and John Madden.
Shortest tenure: Williamson, replaced by Karras after just a few preseason games.
Longest tenure: Gifford, 28 years.
The first woman: Lesley Visser became a sideline reporter for the 1998 season.
Next year's booth: Michaels and Joe Theismann, with Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya reporting from the sidelines. Madden moves to NBC's Sunday night telecast.
Highest-rated game: Dec. 2, 1985, as the Dolphins beat the undefeated Bears, 38-24. The game drew a 29.6 rating and 46 share.
Highest-scoring game: Oct. 17, 1983, Packers 48, Redskins 47
Most appearances: Dolphins, 70; Cowboys, 66; 49ers, 59; Raiders, 57; Steelers and Redskins, 54.
Fewest appearances: Texans, 0.
Most common matchups: Broncos vs. Raiders and Redskins vs. Cowboys, 14 times each.
Memorable Moments
Dec. 8, 1980: Cosell informs the audience that John Lennon has been assassinated.
Nov. 18, 1985: Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor breaks the leg of Redskins quarterback Theismann in a gruesome scene.
Nov. 15, 2004: The opening skit featuring Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and actress Nicollette Sheridan in the locker room before Philadelphia's game with the Cowboys. ABC was forced to apologize in the following days after the scene was highly criticized for being too sexually suggestive.
Memorable Games
Jan. 3, 1983: Dallas' Tony Dorsett sets a record with a 99-yard run from scrimmage against Minnesota.
Oct. 17, 1983: Green Bay defeats Washington 48-47 as the teams combine for 1,025 yards of total offense in the highest-scoring "MNF" game, one not decided until Mark Moseley misses a potential game-winning, 39-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.
Dec. 2, 1985: Miami ends Chicago's shot at an unbeaten season, beating the Bears 38-24 as alumni from the Dolphins' undefeated 1972 team cheer for their record to be protected. The game sets an "MNF" record with a 29.6 rating and 46 share.
Oct. 17, 1994: Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway and Joe Montana face off in a duel won by Montana, who throws a touchdown pass with 8 seconds remaining to give Kansas City a 31-28 victory over Denver.
Oct. 23, 2000: The Jets roar from behind in the fourth quarter, scoring on four straight possessions to wipe out a 30-7 Miami lead and then again with 42 seconds left in regulation before winning 40-37 in overtime on a 40-yard field goal by John Hall.
Dec. 22, 2003: Brett Favre throws for 399 yards and four touchdowns in Green Bay's 41-7 victory over Oakland one day after the death of his father.
Staff and wire reports
December 26 2005
The first score: Browns quarterback Bill Nelson completed an 8-yard TD pass to Gary Collins with 7:04 left in the first quarter in Cleveland's 31-21 victory over the Jets Sept. 21, 1970.
The first crew: Producer, Roone Arledge; director, Chet Forte.
The first commercials: Cost $65,000 for a 60-second spot.
The first booth: Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Don Meredith.
Followed by: Frank Gifford, Al Michaels, Fred "The Hammer" Williamson, Alex Karras, Fran Tarkenton, O.J. Simpson, Joe Namath, Dan Dierdorf, Boomer Esiason, Dan Fouts, Dennis Miller and John Madden.
Shortest tenure: Williamson, replaced by Karras after just a few preseason games.
Longest tenure: Gifford, 28 years.
The first woman: Lesley Visser became a sideline reporter for the 1998 season.
Next year's booth: Michaels and Joe Theismann, with Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya reporting from the sidelines. Madden moves to NBC's Sunday night telecast.
Highest-rated game: Dec. 2, 1985, as the Dolphins beat the undefeated Bears, 38-24. The game drew a 29.6 rating and 46 share.
Highest-scoring game: Oct. 17, 1983, Packers 48, Redskins 47
Most appearances: Dolphins, 70; Cowboys, 66; 49ers, 59; Raiders, 57; Steelers and Redskins, 54.
Fewest appearances: Texans, 0.
Most common matchups: Broncos vs. Raiders and Redskins vs. Cowboys, 14 times each.
Memorable Moments
Dec. 8, 1980: Cosell informs the audience that John Lennon has been assassinated.
Nov. 18, 1985: Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor breaks the leg of Redskins quarterback Theismann in a gruesome scene.
Nov. 15, 2004: The opening skit featuring Eagles receiver Terrell Owens and actress Nicollette Sheridan in the locker room before Philadelphia's game with the Cowboys. ABC was forced to apologize in the following days after the scene was highly criticized for being too sexually suggestive.
Memorable Games
Jan. 3, 1983: Dallas' Tony Dorsett sets a record with a 99-yard run from scrimmage against Minnesota.
Oct. 17, 1983: Green Bay defeats Washington 48-47 as the teams combine for 1,025 yards of total offense in the highest-scoring "MNF" game, one not decided until Mark Moseley misses a potential game-winning, 39-yard field goal with 3 seconds left.
Dec. 2, 1985: Miami ends Chicago's shot at an unbeaten season, beating the Bears 38-24 as alumni from the Dolphins' undefeated 1972 team cheer for their record to be protected. The game sets an "MNF" record with a 29.6 rating and 46 share.
Oct. 17, 1994: Hall of Fame quarterbacks John Elway and Joe Montana face off in a duel won by Montana, who throws a touchdown pass with 8 seconds remaining to give Kansas City a 31-28 victory over Denver.
Oct. 23, 2000: The Jets roar from behind in the fourth quarter, scoring on four straight possessions to wipe out a 30-7 Miami lead and then again with 42 seconds left in regulation before winning 40-37 in overtime on a 40-yard field goal by John Hall.
Dec. 22, 2003: Brett Favre throws for 399 yards and four touchdowns in Green Bay's 41-7 victory over Oakland one day after the death of his father.