In 1970: An experimental prime time TV show called Monday Night Football made its debut on ABC television (although games were played on Monday nights occasionally in the 1960s). The first “episode” featured a struggling Joe Namath and the Jets losing to the Browns in Cleveland 31-21. It was a sloppy game which featured a Monday Night record 161 penalty yards that still stands today. The game presentation, which featured the first three-man booth (Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Don Meredith), was also the first to use multiple camera angles, instant replays and graphics of statistics that we’re used to today. The experiment was an instant success, with 35 percent of the American viewing audience tuning in. MNF lasted for 35 years on ABC until it switched to ESPN for the 2006 season.
In 1982: Following a Monday Night game between the Packers and Giants, the NFL Players Association began a 57-day strike. The main issue was revenue sharing between the players and owners. The season was reduced to nine games and a different playoff format was used. Instead of traditional division play, the top eight teams in the conference standings qualified for the playoffs, with 1-8 seeding. The 8-1 Redskins won the Super Bowl over the 7-2 Dolphins.
(Courtesy of the 2006 ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia)
