I met Howard Cossel at the Steelers hotel later in 1979 when they were in San Diego for a MNF game. He was a very nice man, especially to all the kids who were there. He shook my three-year old son's hand, jokingly asked my son if he was a Steeler fan (he was wearing a Steelers' jogging outfit) and congratulated him for being a Steeler fan.
Oh man me too! Also meant I had 1 hour before bedtime!! But ya I loved it! Now it's C&W singers with monotone voices which gets on my nerves! Bring back some HISTORY! EE WANT THE ORIGINAL THEME SONG!!
That's because showboating was too expensive. Back then there was no "defenseless recieve er/quarterback " rules. Defenses made you pay dearly for mocking!
I think it was more than that. I believe it was just better sportmanship and the way players were back then. Some were dirty players, but most were just good men who knew how to do their jobs in a professional way.
THE best broadcasting trio in sports with the best opening sequence. MNF was truly an entertaining show back in the day. I loved it as a kid and I love re-watching it now.
@@natureboy1313 Well you’re right and about Olson and Endburgh. I don’t know what “so” means. If you liked Cosel then more power to you. I found him tedious and grandiose and Meredith seemed semi disinterested. Just my opinion.
Monday night highlights show was must see TV back then... everybody who didn't quite get to see their teams game the sunday before tuned in because there was no internet or sports center and that was the only way to get a feel of the games that wasn't on television... Good times!!!
Al, Dan and Frank was fun too. And MNF drew higher ratings when Edd Kalehoff recomposed Heavy Action in 1989, and it drew higher ratings when Hank sang a new tune.
He ran over a few defensive players. One of those big backs who you had to leg tackle to get him down. Forget about tackling above the waist, as he could shake you like a dog shakes a flea off of it. Great blocker as well. He was an extra insurance when the Steelers threw the ball. So glad he played for the Steelers. He was a great asset to have, and very, very dependable. He earned his life, and made it count!
As a broadcasting school graduate, I must say that this broadcast was textbook fantastic! Frank, Don and Howard worked in almost perfect harmony. Long after the outcome of this game had been determined, they continued to make the broadcast engaging with their great banter. Hard to believe that Don and Howard did not like each other. They set their differences aside at game time and delivered great broadcasts week after week like professional broadcasters are supposed to do. Great work. May they all rest in peace.
Wow, what a trip down memory lane! Howard Cosell, sponsored by Datsun, Three Rivers Stadium, Terry Bradshaw, and really good football. Me and my Dad watched MNF every Monday night when I was a kid. It was just better back then. I don't even watch the NFL anymore.
Its true pro football was better back in the 70s & 80s. I dont complain, I think its just how business works. Its because it was so great back then that its grown into the billion dollar empire that it is now. I guess its better than if it struggled and teams moved around and folded like other sports leagues. I definitely miss those old monday night games, and the whole different feel of the NFL back then. Times change, everything changes.
@Big Bill O'Reilly Nope, . . .7 7 7 is the number of Sinatra , The Reverend Horton Heat and Elvis !! "7" is Smooth and Streamlined, Tall and Direct, "Chin Up Chest Out." 6 .?. . Well, look at it. . .Slumped over, a weak spine and a big ol' Pot Belly . . .6 is lookin' for donuts at the Local Kwik E Mart. "7" However, Is in Vegas !! Sippin' on Scotch, At the Roulette Wheel, Winnin' with every Spin !!! Get With The Game Brother. . .LUCKY NUMBER 7 !!!!
I would have preferred a score overlay back in the day. Today's sports broadcasting spoils me, I am with you on the low tech graphics, they told you exactly what you needed to know. Number, name, and sometimes the most essential of stats. The end.
What I like about it is the clear screen, no network watermarks in your face, no pointless scrolling or statistics. You just watched what was going on.
Honestly, the NFL never really mattered to me; I just get a kick of nostalgia from the intros, which had (and still have) a sort of soothing, get-ready-for-bed quality for me. These days I mostly want to make sure I'm not pumping money into the NFL (players or owners) or, for that matter, ESPN.
Amen. It’s so sad to see how trash football is nowadays. Back in this time actual warriors took the field. The only way I’d go back to watching football again would be if they eliminated all the damn rules they made the last 20 years.
They made it SO much more exciting. You could just feel the electricity at the opening of the broadcast..the hyped af highlights with Cosell....Dandy Don....the steady Frank Gifford....watching these old mnf broadcasts are like going home again. Love it
I watched this in 2023 to see Frank, Howard & Dandy Don. I still consider them the best all-time MNF crew. Too bad this cut does not have Howard's notorious Halftime Highlights, which were can't miss TV back in the day. Everybody tuned in to see if their team made the cut to be featured on the national broadcast. Rest in peace fellas...
Those were the days . I used to love those MNF intro's with Howard Cosell , he used to make those games so exciting and Frank Gifford along with Howard calling the game, they were among the best along with Pat Sumerall and John Madden who came along later on .
THAT America is GONE because of GREED! $100 million dollar QB salaries. $1000+ for season tickets, for nosebleed seats. Multi-billion dollar TV contacts. Hell, the dancing and prancing is part of the contact! That's Entertainment, kid.
I can stream all the TV I want for $15 a month...including every NFL and NCAA game televised and I don't buy new cars or have an investment portfolio, I don't even drink the beer that's advertised. The way I see it, I'm ripping them off!
10 years old at the time. I loved Pro Football back then. It was rough, not over-commercialized, and played by men who more or less just loved the game.
To stumble across this game a frew weeks after Franco Harris passed away (REST IN PEACE STEELERS FOR LIFE) Me being a Steelers fan all my Life since a was 7years old which would be 50years to see this game again saw the live broadcast back in '79 (at least until halftime had to go to school the next day) it's truly a blessing Thanks those were some good times.
Thanks so much for posting these games. So nostalgic. Brings me back to a wonderful and innocent childhood that i enjoyed. We all had our sport fantasies and we really thought we were gonna be football players. Until we had to get real jobs and pay bills.
Regardless as to what teams were playing these Monday night games were always a major event. Miss these three guys in the booth. Dang those were the days. Thanks for posting these classics.
Andrew Massanet well if you’ve noticed half these plays would be called penalties for lowering the head these days. The game has been pussified and this game shows how the teams were allowed to play without flags being thrown left and right.
Liked and subscribed. I don't know how you did this, VCR's were still in their infancy but I am glad and grateful you did. Imagine, actually taping an event and not worrying about your DVR failing and being able to keep it forever or at least future generations. Good Job, Virgil!
If i were a current coach in high school, college or the NFL, these games would be shown in my required class entitled "How to behave on the field". No signalling a first down; that's the refs job. No thumping your chest because the receiver you were guarding dropped a ball that was overthrown; you had 0 to do with that. When you score a TD, act like you've been there before.
@@darrenmuse and you're seeing them currently. lots and lots of empties in Atlanta against Philly Sunday night. Shouldve been packed. but don't understand your point anyway
You are spot on bro. I had to look twice and make sure that I myself didn’t write it because I’ve been saying this for years. This is when football was truly football and not the egotistical overpaid selfish players of today. When players were class, not trash.
Jay D Just because he couldn't find a suitable helmet for him. A fucking helmet. Presumably he couldn't find one that fitted his massive ego. Jesus Horatio Christ on a bike.
You really notice how the character of the players of all pro sports back then was so much better than it is now. Back then it really was a TEAM game and not just "me me me look at how great I am....pay me more money" like it is now. And the players were all happy to be playing a kids game for good money.
Gary Cristani it’s pretty sad when old grumps always whine about how football used to be. My friggen goodness. I’m a child of the 70s, but modern football is far more entertaining! Doesn’t mean that old school football is bad. But modern football is just the natural evolution of players and coaches trying to beat the schemes of the past... and it is more beautiful today than it ever was!
I bet I'm half your age bud, the NFL sucks right now. You're obviously an easily entertained rube. You seem like the type of guy who likes superbowl commercials.
The Broncos had their hands full with the mighty Steelers here. Stunning in that Pittsburgh did get blown out twice this year (at Cincinnati & at San Diego) But then anyone can have their off days. Although baseball isn't a huge interest, thank you for including the Willie Stargell spot. Also Howard's tribute to Al Davis' wife Carol really moved me. She survived and is still living as of Feb 2023 and is still active.
@@paulcavigliano6388 Players didnt whine about being on bad teams then and trying everything they could to get out of their contracts.The NFL has become a joke and it's almost unwatchable.
What a time to be a sports fan in Pittsburgh. Pops and the Bucs had just beaten the Orioles in the World Series, and now MNF at Three Rivers during a fourth Super Bowl title run for The Steelers.
R Martin absolutely. In the ‘70s, the pirates won two World Series and were always contending for another pennant. I’d argue that the pirates were the team of the decade. What a time indeed!
I haven't watched the NFL in 5 years. First flag of the game comes in at 20:00. Modern games would have been 5 flags at this point....including a phantom roughing the passer
And hopefully players are safer as a result. How many of these players developed crippling CTE symptoms afterwards when people stopped paying attention to them?
harold mccoy I agree with that, but we also tend to over-romanticize the past, especially our childhood, as well. Things are much better today in certain ways. The crime rate is dramatically lower for one example.
Funny how my Delorean time machine accidentally got me to this 1979 NFL game instead taking me back to 1955! Oh well this classic football game was worth the detour! Good to hear good ol' Howard Cosell and his animated commentary! Gotta luv the Legendary Franco Harris!!!This was REAL FOOTBALL! THANX!
The golden age of pro football so many legends on both sides Craig Morton Randy Gradishar Haven Moses Rick Upchurch Norris Weese wow brings back so many memories of being a kid and a major Steeler fan
0:05 I tell you, the US men's hockey team doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of beating the Soviets. They just destroyed a bunch of NHL all-stars if you can believe that. And all we've got are college kids? Something tells me this is going to go very wrong...
I thought the same thing when I saw that Lake Plaid Olympic teaser. What came next wasn't just a surprise but it was truly a miracle on ice. The kids beat the unbeatable. Thanks for bringing this up. By the way, is it me or practically everyone on the thread, better behaved and can actually type with proper grammar.
Those were good times. I was in my mid-20's then, and MNF was a big deal. You get off work and see the Goodyear blimp hovering over your city, knowing the big game was in town, it was exhilarating. We had a crew that met up every Monday night, we'd play poker, watch the game, drink, and smoke. Great times. As you can see, the game was a lot different then, as were we all. 40 years later, I'm trying to enjoy it like I used to, but it's changed so much, the rules are FUBAR, it's just not the same.
@@SteelcityinNY Seeing that first play of their first possession and it's a hand off to Franco.....man. I looked at it a lot differently than I had before.
@@exn641US Every time I watch that man I appreciate more and more of what he did on the field, what he meant to Steeler Nation …and Franco’s Army…and what he meant to the sport and community. The part I appreciate and respect most is when he went up against Hollywood Henderson and had words. Backing his quarterback, Bradshaw! Henderson said something to the effect of Bradshaw couldn’t spell cat if he gave him the C and the T. That pissed of Franco enough to do something he rarely did. But what he commonly did is run that ball like he did after that exchange of words. 🙂 Thats also where I learned that my favorite expression became “Eat shit, Cowboys”. Lol
@@MaximusWolfe They do have three super bowls under their belts, but it’s the first time I have heard that one. With all due respect, and I do respect the Redskins/Commanders. Hopefully they are a team that gets back to glory soon.
Classic MNF. Back when teams had to earn the right to play in primetime, and we on the east coast struggled to stay awake past halftime with that 9pm start time.
I was born in 1966 so this was my early teens and before. MNF was only night and show I was allowed to stay up that late til halftime and my family didn't have cable thus the halftime highlights with Cosell was my absolute favorite n the last thing I watched. Great times
What’s the real shame is kids now will never understand back then it was generally all for the love of the game. The fans and players expected sportsmanlike competition. Now it’s just $$
@@750nut That's because America is a $$$ Capitalist country. Don't you show your ignorance and blame today's players. The youth learns from those who came before them.
Professional athletes were generally more gracious--and more articulate--back then. The two guys I blame most for the decline are Joe Namath and Deion Sanders.
By 1979, the Steelers weren't just a great team, they were a celebrity team. Mean Joe was doing his iconic Coke commercial, Bradshaw was making movies with Burt Reynolds, Swann was moonlighting in the broadcast booth. Franco, LC Greenwood, Jack Lambert, Mel Blount and others had their own commercials, esp. for Steel tires. Even the kicker, Matt Bahr, did a KFC commercial -- I mean, even the kicker has a TV spot. I think, along with age and injuries, one of their problems in '80 was that the team became a little bit distracted by all their success. Here, they are still hungry and ready to win another SB.
I miss this shit! When football was a game and quarterbacks were treated like men! MNF used to be a huge deal. I remember this like it was yesterday. I was in eighth grade. "Turn out the lights the parties over."
In the 70’s NFL players exhibited more class when scoring or making a great play. These days we watch most players dance and carry on for the smallest achievements.
What a joy to watch the game when the referee call is final, no stupid reviews and delays. And the players actually look human, not the 400lbs freaks of nature of today
I watched another one of these '70s MNF games last week. A gazillion penalties. Got boring after awhile. And this game had plenty of laundry, too. Refs are refs, what's the big deal?
Couple things I miss........I-formatiom or setback., No major celebrations, Field Goals and extra points Kicker can only step straight back No 2 steps to left or right, Clipping penalties, Shotgun Should be not allowed, (Brady would never be who he is), Hard Hitting on backs and receivers without penalties. No stupid 2 point conversions- Kickoff from the 20 not 25, A fumble is a Fumble without having to disect the play. And Finally-I Miss the good games where the final score isn't 45 to 38 like today, If you lost 17-0..You Lost,Were not giving you free points- or a good 10 to 6 game.
Today's MNF games just seem to be lacking something, compared to these old games. I think part of it is that the NFL today is so over-saturated, MNF used to be a big deal back then, where today it's just another day on the schedule. The matchups used to be a lot better too, most of today's MNF games are too boring to watch. I think the constant rule changes have watered down the game. Finally, I think the announcers have a lot to do with it. Cosell, Meredith & Gifford were the best.
The announcers 60s 70s were the GREATEST If you notice you have a moment to relax and enjoy the game. It's not busy busy busy way more commercials the rules were better back then
3rd and long - still line up 2WRs on each side, at TE and RBs split in the backfield - no shotgun - QB under center. Wow how the game has changed since the 70's. Of course they played defense back then
I'm 65. I was a sports fan when I was a kid and watched a lot of football. I watched all my life until about 3 years ago, when I stopped watching live games (I don't feel like supporting the NFL anymore because I'm a physician and the brain-injury thing troubles me, more because of the example to kids that the NFL provides than about the NFL as an isolated phenomenon). Checked out some of these old games on YT recently. Can't see why so many commenters feel that modern football is so much worse. It was football then, it is now. The hits are hard now. They were then. Athleticism amazing, now as then. What's the deal, everyone? Are you angry at those damn kids on your lawn?
This was my second year being a die hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan... It was right after they defeated the hated cowboys the year before and I'm still a Pittsburgh Steeler now in 2023... I put in a lot of time with my squad....
I had to watch this game in Black and white because my parents couldn't afford a color TV. LOL. Great to finally see it in color almost 44 years later.
Thanks for posting. As a kid back then, it brings back good memories. But then again I am a Kansas City native, so I was a Cowboy's fan and hated the Steelers! But but boy....Roger and Terry. Underrated QBs.
Oh to be back on those days, when FOOTBALL WAS PLAYED FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, NOT THE OVER BLOATED PAYCHECK BULLSHIT TODAY. OVER COMMERCIALIZED, OVER CELEBRATING TOUCHDOWNS. STILL LOVE MY RAMS THOUGH!!!!🏈
0:05 I’m not feeling too good about the US hockey team. Herb Brooks as coach? The Soviets pretty much crushed NHL All-Stars the last few years. If our boys go against their machine, we’re doomed.
