The 25 most memorable Monday Night Football moments

The birth of Monday Night Football  can be traced to Cleveland, Ohio, on a late September evening in 1970. With veteran broadcasters Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell, plus former Cowboys star Don Meredith, in the booth on the call, a piece of American iconography was underway. Although New York was led by star Joe Namath, he threw three interceptions, including one returned 25 yards for the final touchdown by Cleveland's Billy Andrews with 35 seconds remaining in regulation, which clinched the Browns' 31-21 victory.

As legend has it, the aforementioned Howard Cosell was notorious for consuming alcohol while calling games. One of his more debaucherous such moments came during this rivalry game on a frigid Monday night in Philadelphia. Cosell, noticeably slurring his words during the first half, was so intoxicated that he vomited on the boots of broadcast partner Don Meredith. Cosell, unable to finish the broadcast, left the stadium, and Keith Jackson had to call the second half.

There have been countless memorable individual performances to grace the Monday Night Football airwaves. Maybe none better than rookie Earl Campbell's 199-yard, four-touchdown effort during Houston's 35-30 home win over Miami. Campbell became the first player to rush for four TDs on MNF, with two coming in the fourth quarter, including an 81-yard scamper to give the Oilers some insurance after his 12-yarder earlier in the period put them ahead.

During a Monday Night Football broadcast in 1974, legendary Beatle John Lennon visited the booth. Six seasons later on this night in Miami, Howard Cosell made the memorable announcement that Lennon was shot and killed. Cosell solemnly stated ... "Yes, we have to say it. Remember, this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses. An unspeakable tragedy, confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City: John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City, the most famous perhaps, of the Beatles, shot twice in the back to Roosevelt Hospital, dead ... on ... arrival."

The final game of the strike-shortened 1982 regular season, Dallas fell 31-27 at Minnesota. However, most aware of the game likely don't remember the final score, or that the Cowboys lost. But all likely can't forget Cowboys star running back Tony Dorsett darting an NFL-record 99 yards for touchdown, delivering a vicious stiff arm to fend off Minnesota defender Willie Teal along the way.

No stranger to controversy, Howard Cosell finally did himself in -- at least in terms of his MNF employment. During this 1983 season opener, Cosell commented about diminutive, black Washington receiver Alvin Garrett, "That little monkey gets loose doesn't he?" The comment seemingly immediately ignited a firestorm of controversy. And, though Garrett, himself, was not offended, criticism and controversy from the incident continued to swirl around Cosell, who eventually left MNF at the conclusion of the '83 campaign.

When Chicago rolled over Green Bay on Monday night during its Super Bowl title-winning season of 1985, William "The Refrigerator" Perry ingratiated himself with the football world when the massive defensive lineman scored his first career touchdown on a 1-yard, second-quarter run. However, Perry's most memorable move of the night came in the same quarter while serving as lead blocker for Walter Payton, as he paved the way for the short TD run by delivering a thunderous block on Packers linebacker George Cumby, who landed roughly 3 yards deep into the end zone.  

The night Joe Theismann's football career came to unexpected end remains one of the toughest moments to replay in all of sports. In the second quarter of this Monday night matchup between NFC East foes, the veteran Washington quarterback scrambled, but was tackled by Lawrence Taylor, with teammate Gary Reasons also in tow. In the process, Theismann's leg was caught underneath his body, causing an audible break of his tibia, with the bone sticking out. It was a surreal moment for live sports television, leaving all on the field, stands and watching from a afar visibly shaken. Washington went on to win, but Theismann, who made a complete recovery, never played again. 

The Bears were 12-0 and were dominant enough to believe they could be the first team since the 17-0 Dolphins to go undefeated for an entire season. And it was fitting they were looking to remain perfect in Miami on Monday night. However, with the pregame hype off the charts, Dan Marino threw for 270 yards with three touchdowns as Miami jumped out to a 31-10 halftime lead and won 38-24, scoring the most points of any Chicago opponent that season. And, allowing the '70 team to pop another bottle of champagne in celebration of remaining the lone NFL perfectionists. 

The 1987 players' strike was about to end, and notable Dallas players like Danny White, Tony Dorsett, and Ed Jones had already crossed the picket line. However, Washington's lineup was complete with replacement players, or "scabs," but managed to prevail behind 13-7 behind 136 rushing yards from Lionel Vital, the leadership of ex-con quarterback Tony Robinson and a stout defensive effort. Washington's "replacements" went 3-0 that season and are noted for playing a key part in the team's run to the Super Bowl crown. 

During Bo Jackson's memorable rookie NFL season of 1987, his Los Angeles Raiders visited boisterous linebacker   Brian Bosworth   and the Seattle Seahawks . Jackson rushed for 221 yards during one of the greatest single-game performances in Monday Night Football history. Highlights included Jackson darting 91 yards on a second-quarter gallop down the sideline and into the Kingdome tunnel. He also ran right over Bosworth for a 2-yard score in the third quarter.

In the 1994 season opener, the legendary Jerry Rice scored three touchdowns, the last coming in the fourth quarter on a 38-yard pass from Steve Young. That not only capped San Francisco's 44-14 rout of the Raiders, but set the NFL's all-time touchdown record with 127 -- breaking the then-record set by Jim Brown. Rice remains the league's career leader for touchdowns with 208.

Fans figured legends John Elway and Joe Montana going head-to-head on Monday night would be special. And we were right. The two stars dueled in this back-and-forth contest, with Elway going 18-of-29 for 263 yards with two touchdowns, but Montana was simply stellar. In the waning moments of his illustrious career, Montana completed 34 of 54 passes for 393 yards with an interception and three TDs, highlighted by a go-ahead 5-yarder to Willie Davis with 8 seconds left in regulation for Kansas City's 31-28 triumph.

Green Bay and Chicago fans might not remember the final score of this Monday night matchup between the NFL's most storied rivals (Packers won 27-24). What's likely remembered is the guy jumped from his end zone seat and caught an extra-point kick from Chicago's Kevin Butler in mid-air, landing unharmed some 20 feet to the ground. The remarkable catch, made by fan Mike Pantazis, was repeatedly shown for days and won the ESPY for Outrageous Play of the Year."

New York trailed rival Miami 30-7 after three quarters, then the fun began. If you're a Jets fan. Vinny Testaverde, who was picked off three times prior to the fourth, threw four touchdown passes in the final period, including a 3-yarder to lineman-eligible Jumbo Elliott, who bobbled the ball before bringing it home, with 42 seconds remaining to force overtime. John Hall then capped this ridiculous comeback with a 40-yard field goal for the 40-37 New York win.

On a rainy, windy night at Lambeau Field, Green Bay got to overtime against its division rival after the Vikings botched a late field-goal attempt at the end of regulation. In overtime, the Packers flung a pass down the right sideline, where Minnesota's Chris Dishman had the ball bounce off his hands and body, only to fall on Green Bay's Antonio Freeman. Where it bounced off his shoulder and, somehow, into his hands before touching the ground. As Dishman lamented his missed pick, the untouched Freeman got up, maneuvered Minnesota's Robert Griffith and darted his way for an improbable 43-yard touchdown catch and 26-20 victory for the home team. As ABC's Al Michaels proclaimed, "He did what?"

After years working with Pat Summerall as the premier broadcast duo in the NFL, the animated and spirited former coach John Madden moved to ABC, for the chance to work with Al Michaels on Monday Night Football. Madden's first appearance in his new role came with the 2002 preseason Hall of Fame Game. His regular-season debut under the MNF lights came with this matchup, where Tom Brady and New England rolled to a 30-14 victory. Madden remained in the Monday Night booth through the 2005 season, when ESPN took over the broadcast the next season. Madden had moved to NBC, as part of its Sunday night football NFL team.

Terrell Owens never had trouble drawing attention to himself, literally. Perhaps none more so than during this contest at Seattle, where he caught a go-ahead, 37-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Jeff Garcia. Then, in celebration, he pulled a Sharpie out of his sock, signed the football, and handed it to the person said to be his financial advisor. Brash and bold. Pure T.O.

Indianapolis trailed Tampa Bay 35-14 with 5:09 remaining in regulation. No problem. A 90-yard kickoff return from the Colts' Brad Pyatt set up James Mungro's 1-yard touchdown run on fourth down to make it 35-21. The Colts recovered the ensuing onside kick, and Peyton Manning then found Marvin Harrison for a 28-yard score with 2:29 to go. Indianapolis was unable to recover another onside kick, but its defense forced the Bucs to punt. And, Ricky Williams (not the popular one) pushed through on a 1-yard TD run with 35 seconds remaining to force overtime, where the Colts won Mike Vanderjagt's 29-yard field goal to cap the remarkable comeback.

One day after Irvin Favre passed away, his son Brett, opting the play on Monday Night Football, delivered one of the best games of the quarterback's storied NFL career, in honor of his father. Favre went 22-of-30 for 399 yards with four touchdowns -- all in the first half -- and no touchdowns during Green Bay's 41-7 over the Raiders. Favre's 154.9 passer rating was a career high on arguably the most emotional night of his football career.

More from Terrell Owens. Three years removed from the Sharpie incident, Owens was playing for Philadelphia and was featured in this Monday night's game promo. Superimposed to what is the Eagles locker room, Owens happens upon Nicollette Sheridan, star of the then-ABC hit Desperate Housewives, wearing only a towel. The sultry promo features Sheridan as her Housewives character, coming on to Owens, and eventually dropping the towel and jumping into his arms. Needless to say, the promo sparked plenty of controversy, and Owens apologized for the look a few days later.

In the wake of horrific damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans Saints played all of their 2005 home games away from home. But, after playing their first two of the 2006 campaign on the road, the Saints made their emotional and joyous return to the Superdome. More than 70,000 fans filled the house as a celebration of the city's resilience. On the field, the Saints dominated, winning 23-3, highlighted by Steve Gleason's blocked punt that teammate Curtis Deloatch fell on in the end zone less than 2 minutes into the game.

En route to a Super Bowl appearance, Chicago trailed, 23-3 late in the third quarter at Arizona. Then, Mike Brown   recorded a 3-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown. Charles Tillman took a fumble back 40 yards for a score, and Devin Hester  capped the stunning comeback with an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown. Chicago went on to win, 24-23, leaving late Cardinals coach Dennis Green to his infamous post-game outburst about not giving the Bears too much credit.

With replacement officials still on the field, the Packers appeared headed to a key road victory at Seattle. Then the Seahawks' Russell Wilson heaved a final 24-yard pass into the end zone as time expired. It appeared Packers defensive back M.D. Jennings intercepted the pass, but fell on top of lying Seattle receiver Golden Tate, who ended up with the ball. Confusion among the officials, fans, and players ensued. After discussion and a video review, simultaneous possession was the call, thus giving the Seahawks a highly questionable touchdown and the 14-12 victory. The overall scenario was dubbed "The Fail Mary," and two days later the referees' lockout ended.

In another frightening moment on Monday night, little-known Buffalo defensive back Damar Hamlin suffered an episode of cardiac arrest while making a tackle on Cincinnati's Tee Higgins during the first half. Hamlin got to his feet, then collapsed on the field, as both teams and the fans in attendance fell silent and stunned. He was attended to by first responders, who administered CPR and automated external defibrillation. After several minutes, Hamlin was placed on a stretcher, led into an ambulance, and taken to a local hospital. It was later reported that Hamlin, who made a full recovery, had his heartbeat restarted on the field.