What happened: ABC staged the first Monday Night Football broadcast from Cleveland in 1970. Cleveland beat New York 31-21 with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Don Meredith on the call.
Why it matters: The broadcast created a weekly primetime window for the NFL. It grew into a fixture of the regular-season schedule.
By the numbers: 1970 opener: Cleveland 31, New York 21.
What to watch: Monday night games continue through the 2026 regular season.