Goodbye to Monday Night Football

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.