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The single event I remember from the MNF crew, as a 14 year old teenager, was this clip from the Dolphins-Patriots game in 1980. To say I was shocked was an understatement.
There have been several iterations of broadcasting crews since this trio. You could line them all up in a 'best of' and they wouldn't come close to those magical years when Cosell, Gifford and Meredith were in the booth together.
The single event I remember from the MNF crew, as a 14 year old teenager, was this clip from the Dolphins-Patriots game in 1980. It was like they couldn't wait to get the game over with. To say I was shocked was an understatement.
There have been several iterations of broadcasting crews since this trio. You could line them all up in a 'best of' and they wouldn't come close to those magical years when Cosell, Gifford and Meredith were in the booth together.
I remember that game well. I also remember Frank Gifford in kind of a hushed manner calling the play by play for the last few minutes. I don't remember Don even saying a word. Not one.
The 30 year anniversary of that ordeal is coming up tomorrow (the 8th).
Don Meredith certainly was one of the more colorful players to play for the Dallas Cowboys. He played in an era when as an expansion club it took you a long time to be up to snuff with the upper echelon. They didn't have free agency, that "quick fix" that the clubs have now. But he got Dallas to two NFL Championship games in 1966 and 1967. The Dallas Cowboys were the first club to initiate a "ring of fame" to honor their past players. Meredith was the second player inducted, Bob Lilly the first.
And then there is his broadcasting career. Don Ohlmeyer, Roone Arledge, and the other ABC sports honchos took a big chance with Monday Night Football, starting with even having pro football on a weeknight in prime time. They say it couldn't be done. But it was done and done successfully. To me it was Meredith who made it all work because he was the one who brought the sense of humor to it all with his folksy charm. Those one liners he fired off were great!
Went back to check on different sites. Yes, Tarkenton was added to the staff in 1979. His last year as a Minnesota Viking was in 1978. I was surprised that ABC would add a fourth person to the booth but it had been done before.
Meredith left ABC after the 1973 season and worked for NBC, returning back to Monday Night Football in 1977. Tarkenton worked with the other three from 1979 to 1982, with O.J. Simpson replacing him. Cosell left after the 1983 season I believe. Meredith left the season after.
NOW! Has been 30 years ago. Maybe he wasn't there THAT night. Seems to me he was, I don't mind being corrected though. The youtubes today that I've seen today regarding that December 8th broadcast center around Cosell and his tribute to John Lennon, will do some digging and see what I can find. Update: Just looked at that "Outside The Lines" three minute youtube and they do mention Tarkenton in the booth, and doesn't mention Meredith. They don't show Tarkenton and the unreleased video with the conversation between Cosell and Gifford (strictly audio) does not involve Tarkenton or Meredith. There is one comment there that says "Oh Boy"-and it sounds like Meredith to me(JMO). Again, this is 30 years ago. I DO thank ya for the heads up on the video though!
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