Are you ready for some football?
I was, and still am. Sorry for the “guy” post but here it comes.
Last Monday night, December 26th, was the 555th and final episode of Monday Night Football. Maybe it doesn’t mean much to you, but it represents the end of an era to me — and it conjured up many, many memories that night before I slept.
You see, I grew up with Monday Night Football. Its past 36 years, now gone, were my past 36 years reminding me that, too, those years are gone. I didn’t watch each of every game; some of them were just stinkers. But, somehow, it was comforting to know it was there and would be there, during the season, the very next week — just waiting for me to watch and then decide.
Monday Night Football was the child of ABC Sports’ Roone Arledge and Pete Rozelle, NFL Commissioner. Its very first broadcast featured the New York Jets vs. the Cleveland Browns (Browns winning, 31-21) and, as revealed during the final episode, the graphics, cutaways, B-roll footage and general production was simply Neanderthalic compared to that of today. White text with no shadowing or contrast over background image just doesn’t cut it, shall we say.
Beginning on September 21st, 1970, Monday Night Football became the second longest-running prime time series in the history of TV (the first, I believe, is still 60 Minutes). And this past Monday’s game ended, in a bit of an historical chill, with the Jets again losing, 31 to 21, against the New England Patriots. Vinny Testaverde, at 42, threw the very last touchdown on Monday Night Football.
Yes, Monday Night Football is now gone and with it a part of my past. I was 16 when MNF first came on and I was captivated — as was everyone else at the time. I couldn’t wait to hear what Cosell would say to Dandy Don, and how DD would throw Cosell’s barb right back at ‘im.
I grew up with Monday Night Football and its closing earlier this week simply reminds me: another chapter in my life is gone. I know, I know, you’re thinking: Christ, get over it, it’s just a stupid TV show. But I am wistful nevertheless.
Things change. They always will.
Life moves on.
Yea I had some great MNF memories.
Like the Tampa-St. Louis Game in 00′ when Warrick Dun went nuts.
Of course the Brett Favre game…
The Bo Jackson Run…
Emmitt running for like 200 yards in a meaningless game with a seperate shoulder
the Antonio Freeman catch that didn’t hit the ground
the Joe Montana Kansas City comeback against Denver
Turn out the light,
The parties OVER…
It was a great run though…
And they gave it a decent send-off…
I only hope ESPN can do as well, a lot of folks don’t have Sat/Cable TV though… Ya gotta wonder..
Rell: welcome aboard, and thanks for reading and commenting on my blog!
I too was moved by Favre’s playing despite the recent passing of his father. And the icing on the cake: they WON! I’m a BIG (literally) Packer fan and am sad to see how they’ve done this year. I’m sure Brett’s doing some serious thinking right about now. . . .
I also happened to catch the KC game with Montana — though I was unhappy with his move from SF — but I was still happy for his win!
Texas Fred: I’m a “memories” freak — I hope MNF comes out with a “highlights” DVD of the announce teams, culture, and great plays over the years. I’d buy it.
ESPN won’t do as well. Limited audience. My guess is the new Sunday NIGHT game will become what MNF used to be.
I didn’t think ol’ Dandy Don looked so bad, did you?
Not being a football fan I can’t speak intelligently about any of the games or teams but I can identify with you as far as missing a favorite program goes. There’s so much bs on television that when they remove something we truly enjoy it just leaves another hole in television content.
A belated “Merry Christmas” and an early “Happy New Year!”
Thank God almighty that it ended in dignity with two of the greatest personalities in sports at the sign off instead of comedian Dennis Miller, with quick with and analogies that only he understood. (putting him on MNF was like coke changing to “new coke”)
Yes I was proud when my Raiders were the kings of Monday night and smashmouth football was khow it was played (those guys should have been paid millions for having regular jobs in the off season and playing hurt when given the chance). Unfortunately the game has been reduced to do overs and higher contracts based on end zone dances.
I will still miss MNF tremendously. Having a wacky work schedule, off during the week most of the time. I would find myself flipping through the channels, forgetting it was Monday night and seeing 22 guys facing each other ready to do battle. No matter who was playing was like finding a left over christmas present left in the closet.
I’m with ya BZ.
(PS I apologize for saying CHRISTMAS, I meant to say non specific, non denominational winter holiday).
All Fed Up: hey, great simile — like finding a present in your stocking! Yes, it was very much like that when you’d forgotten about it being Monday night and you were surfing — and then, bam, there it was, kinda like a long, lost friend.
But a friend no more. I must be truthful; I miss it because it represents history and some good memories from back in the 70’s. But I also will miss it because, more and more, we are a country of fewer and fewer traditions — and I think we miss out as a society when everything changes and changes and changes — and not necessarily for the better, but frequently for the sake of change itself.
Heck, that could be a post in and of itself.
In the days when I was puppeting for a living I had six Howard Cosell puppets. He was by far the easiest and most effective satire subject. I had him commenting on the Tortoise and the Hare race, doing the background for Prince Charming and —name one– ‘s wedding (s), and just about everything else. Boy did I miss him when he went away.
Say what you will about Howard Cosell, he was in a class by himself at that time in history.
I hated him and I loved him. And I miss him.