Over the past few weeks, the NFL faced scrutiny for not flexing out of the Week 10 "Sunday Night Football" game between the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders. Before the season, it was a game the network had hoped would feature QBs Aaron Rodgers of the Jets and a resurgent Jimmy Garoppolo of the Raiders.
Instead, both teams lived down to expectations on "SNF" as Zach Wilson — starting in place of an injured Rodgers — and Aidan O'Connell — starting in place of any ineffective "Jimmy G" — combined for a dreadful display of offense. Only one touchdown was scored in the Raiders' 16-12 win.
However, not all was lost for "SNF." Thanks to history-minded producers, NBC put together a game intro featuring actress Jennifer Edwards — a star of the 1968 television adaptation of "Heidi," a classic children's novel.
“I’m Jennifer Edwards, and 55 years ago this week, a movie I was in as a little girl kind of, how do I say this, got in the way of football. Tonight, we’re going to get it right, and show you the whole game. But if the ending isn’t happily ever after for your team, don’t blame me.”
55-years-ago this week, the Jets and Raiders Heidi Game. pic.twitter.com/OCaQxWQUqR
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) November 12, 2023
Once upon a time, way back in 1968, NBC valued the start of its primetime schedule more than the finish of a crucial American Football League game between the 7-2 Jets and 7-2 Raiders.
Instead of sticking with the Jets-Raiders game to its conclusion, NBC went to Heidi," to the outrage of millions of football fans, who flooded the network's telephone switchboards with calls. The Raiders won a thriller, 43-32.
As you might expect, Sunday night's intro went over better than the game itself.
The infamous “Heidi Game” was 55 years ago week. Phenomenal cold open essay by @SNFonNBC starring “Heidi” actress Jennifer Edwards. pic.twitter.com/waPIxcuCYq
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) November 13, 2023
Absolutely brilliant bit by @NBCSports and @SNFonNBC by bringing in the original actress who played Heidi in the film that infamously interrupted the Jets-Raiders game 55 years ago. I never knew it was Jennifer Edwards, Julie Andrews' stepdaughter.
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) November 13, 2023
These @SNFonNBC opens have been great all year.
— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) November 13, 2023
But getting Jennifer Edwards for the "Heidi" game?
That's next level.
Google it, kids...before we had Scott Hanson keeping watch, there were no givens when it came to keeping track of NFL Sundays... pic.twitter.com/xXAx9cPBFb
Needless to say, NBC learned its lesson in 1968.
Fifty-five years ago, scores of sports fans wanted Joe Namath and the Jets and Raiders over "Heidi." On Sunday night, most fans probably would have OK'd benching Wilson and O'Connell for Edwards.
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