The Murder Of John Lennon Is Revealed To The nation On Monday Night Football

Monday Night Football used to be an event.  Oh, I know, it's still a big deal, watched by millions.  But 'back then', it was different.  It wasn't the Super Bowl, but it was, well...

An event.

Many of us remember.  There would be Monday Night Football parties, at bars and at homes.  There would be contest's at the local watering holes, including who would get to throw the brick through the TV screen when Howard Cosell was on (why would we want to do that? Well, that's another story for another time).

People would have Monday Night Football parties at their home.  Friends would come over, the food and drink would be brought out and the game would begin.

Monday Night Football all those years ago was different.  It was the biggest thing on TV and would usually only be beaten for the year by the Super Bowl.  Remember, this was the years of little or no cable for millions of people.

And so it was December 8, 1980.  The Patriots were battling the Dolphins.  Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell were in the booth.  A good game, a fun game.

And then Howard Cosell broke the news you see in this video as it happened.

John Lennon had been murdered.