From September to February, professional football is one of the most watched sports in America.  While a variety of games are available for viewing on Sundays, there is only one game a week that is aired on Monday night.  Millions of Americans tune in at prime time to watch the highly anticipated Monday matchup, and they have done so for more than 40 years.

On this day, September 21st, in 1970, Monday Night Football began.  The live broadcast of Monday Night Football was aired on ABC with legendary sports announcer Howard WIlliam Cosell.  Cosell remained Monday Night Football’s commentator for the the next 13 years until finally relinquishing the reigns in 1983.  By that time, Monday Night Football had a strong fan base that only grew in the following years.

Monday Night Football aired on ABC until 2005 and ended its stay as one of the longest running prime time television programs ever.  Currently, the rights to Monday Night Football broadcasts are owned by ESPN until 2021.