This 1981 Monday Night Football Game Is The Funniest Ever

Tony Dorsett's electrifying 75 yard touchdown run, big plays by other superstar players and the best announcing booth of all-time made this a highly entertaining game!

[@markkrull556]

I don’t know how you find these but they’re so great. I’m 62 years old and I remember this crew they were great.

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks, Mark. I appreciate it!

[@amazingmazur6752]

They were football announcers, and the best at their craft!

[@depaola63]

61 myself and it sure was a classic era 🌟❤️

[@jeanrobert7071]

Yes Indeed 💯 Agreed. I'll be 69 in October & During these 3 Classic MNF Broadcasters, I couldn't wait til Monday night & getting entertained by these 3 🏈🏈🏈👏👏👏

[@alspencer3826]

MNF could last for 300 more years, and they will never have another crew like these three.

[@markgardner9460]

That's the truth

[@jammininthepast]

Great era to be a fan! I loved MNF. I remember racing home to get some supper ready and settle down with the game, always a treat. That classic bumper music and Giffords intro. Young people may find it hard to believe that MNF was the only way to see other NFL teams in action back in the day. Howard would do the, unscripted mostly, halftime highlights. Classic. I do love it so! Thanks brother, you're appreciated.

[@alspencer3826]

@@jammininthepast I would get goosebumps listening to howard, in that unmistakable voice, do the intro talking about the players from both teams. I'm a pats fan, and when I would hear him say "Russ Francis, the all world tight end" I would be so damn pumped!! God I miss those guys. What do you do, when you know, it will never be that good again?

[@RobertPiche-ii9dt]

The Last of the Mohicans imo was Madden & Summerall. Romo is atrocious. I like Collinsworth, Aikman, Buck. But man some of em are so putrid I mute and just watch or I just throw on Redzone

[@RobertPiche-ii9dt]

My dad was from the NY area which is where Howie was born and bred. For whatever reason my dad despised him on MNF but every Sunday AM while driving to church he listened to a talk radio program having zero to do with sports hosted by?? Yup. Howard Cossell

[@davidrice-vw1iq]

Frank being serious and the other 2 are just silly knuckleheads. Love it

[@markgardner9460]

It was almost like a continuous comedy skit.

[@79glastron]

I love how the were so honest about players not playing good instead of all the sugar coating that broadcaster do today.

[@markgardner9460]

Great point! As Cosell was fond of saying - "I call it like it is"

[@russbeard3665]

Best booth ever in football. Give them gold jackets, they all belong in Canton. Great era for football. I miss these times!

[@markgardner9460]

That was the best era for me

[@kevinclarke1222]

Best broadcast team in history of televised sports.

[@markgardner9460]

In baseball, Curt Gowdy and Tony Kubek were outstanding on NBC's Game of the Week.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

6:22 ​@@markgardner9460 Good call! Gowdy and Kubek were excellent as were ( baseball) Vin Scully Jack Buck , Lindsey Nelson Joe Garagiola Tim McCarver

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Mark did you happen to see Jerry Burns epic, expletive laden rant after the Vikings beat the Rams 23-21 in overtime in 1989? The first overtime game decided on a safety?.It was quite a episode! Burnsie was being Burnsie! It's easy to find on KZbin.

[@jammininthepast]

Love it. That bumper music and Giffords intro, classic. Often the only in depth look at other teams, Howard's (mostly unscripted) halftime highlights were always a nugget in the middle of the game. Great era, great show - never be the same. Thanks brother, you're appreciated.

[@markgardner9460]

Glad you enjoyed it. I didn't have the halftime show for this game or else I would have featured it. I do have other MNF games that include the highlights, so hopefully I'll be able to publish them sometime.

[@luddite4change449]

IIRC they would rotate the intro. I very distinctly remember Howard giving the intro for a Stealer game which was devoted to Rocky Bliars Vietnam military service and injuries.

[@goittoog7563]

Dandy don really stirred that drink!

[@williamzee7748]

Those were the days my friend …those were the days gone forever….” turn the lights out the game is over” Danny Don QB of Dallas in its hey day.

[@michaelhemphill8575]

"Good " back down " memory"lane"mash-up"...."Meredith and"Cosell" iconic"together....."like a "hand in" glove"!!

[@markgardner9460]

There will never be anything like this announcing booth again. I loved it.

[@NeverMeAlwaysYou]

"Turn out the liiiiiiiiiiiiiiights!!!! The party's OVER. All good things must come to an end." Sadly, they do. You didn't turn the TV off until Dandy Don crooned his tune. We waited for it!!!!! LOL

[@markgardner9460]

It wasn't very often that he didn't sing that song. He was one of a kind!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Remarkable that Walls led the league in picks 3 times!

[@markgardner9460]

3 out of first 5 years in the league!

[@nolster1]

@@markgardner9460 I don't know if Walls should be a HoFer but you're right, he had a very solid 14 year career.

[@billbill5326]

I wasn’t a Cosell fan but this was my favorite team of announcers on MNF.

[@markgardner9460]

Dan Dierdorf drove me nuts.

[@jstube36]

I sure remember this one. The 1981 Dallas Cowboys were an interesting bunch. This would be the last truly great team of the Landry Era. Danny White and Tony Dorsett both had their best years. The OL was brilliant when it had to be. The Defense was starting to show some age. Especially up front. But they still had some effectiveness. And that exciting young gambling secondary was so fun to watch. That Dorsett TD was the highlight of the night. He ran inside quite a lot for a RB his size. It's a shame what's become of him these days. All those hits he took. Especially near the end of his career have come back at him. He was so fun to watch with the ball in his hands.

[@markgardner9460]

If I had one game to win on a game being played on a fast track, I'd select T.D.

[@jstube36]

@@markgardner9460 Tony was amazing. The one crazy note however. Is he never one a rushing title. !981 was the closest he got but was beat out by George Rogers. To try and answer your question about Everson Walls. True he had a lot of picks. But he also got burned a lot. He was known as a feast or famine type CB. So he might be borderline worthy of Canton. And he did pick Montana twice in the NFC Championship game.

[@elwin38]

@@markgardner9460 I dont remember this game but 1981 overall was a great season. This Cowboy season was one of their best without going to the super bowl. Not a Cowboy fan but Everson Walls deserves to be the HOF. Maybe one day the senior committee will let him in.

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks for providing your take.

[@johnphelan4215]

As a Giants fan let me point out that we beat this great Cowboys team in OT the final week of the season, which is why “the Catch” NFC championship game was in SF rather than Dal.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

If recalling correctly, Ron Springs and Tim Fox were teammates for one year at Ohio State. Springs son Shawn went on to play for the Buckeyes and had a decent NFL career. Fox unfortunately has been diagnosed with CTE. He was known for doing standing back flips when he intercepted passes. Ron Springs was diagnosed with diabetes and then received a kidney from his best friend and teammate Everson Walls. RIP Ron Springs.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Yes RIP to Springs and all of the players from that era who entertained us and sacrificed their bodies! And RIP to the great MNF crew!

[@markgardner9460]

What a great show of friendship by Walls!

[@Devon6024]

Shawn was a beast for the Buckeyes. One of the best before college fb changed.

[@Fresh-tw7ev]

@@Devon6024 yes he was All America if I recall. Unfortunately my least favorite memory as a Buckeye fan involves Shawn Springs and it came in the opening drive of the second half of the 1996 OSU vs Michigan game. Springs unfortunately slipped on the soggy turf (someone apparently forgot to tarp the field and it snowed earlier in the week and they couldn’t dry out the field,fast enough) and Tai Streets raced 68 yds into end zone to trim the Buckeye lead to 9-7. It was downhill after that and OSU lost another game as heavy favorites to the underdog Wolverines.

[@Devon6024]

@@Fresh-tw7ev Man, my worst memory ever! 13-9. Will never forget. That hurt so much. 3 Field goals with THAT offense? Killed me Edit: Cooper went with dual QB instead of only Joe Germaine like we had been doing. Oh man, you're killing me with these mind jogs lol

[@ricky-6657believe]

I still miss Dandy Don breaking into "Turn out the liiights, the party's ooover."

[@richardwrask497]

Walls should be in the Hall. After some of the clowns they let in, he was good enough

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you for your opinion - I agree.

[@neilschauer5080]

Mmm. 57 picks is a ton but his name never comes up..funny the Veteran's Committee hasn't done so..

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Yeah I've kinda changed my mind...Walls isn't borderline HOF he should be in....

[@kevincostello3856]

Damn straight

[@kingofallmediums2123]

Everson Walls should be in The Hall of Fame! 😯 😲 😯 😯 😯 😊😊😊😊😊

[@neilschauer5080]

57 picks would say that but nothing but crickets when HOF induction topic could come up...

[@markgardner9460]

Since eligible, he only made the final list one year. Total crickets sound, as Neil stated. Thank you for your take, King!

[@garynitting]

I’m here for the John Hannah - Randy White matchup!

[@markgardner9460]

No doubt - classic match-up!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Two heavyweights slugging it out!

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

These three guys will never be replaced.

[@evanmeier3570]

Great stuff! This was when MNF was like a national party. Nothing beats a drunken Cosell vomiting on Dandy Don’s cowboy boots in Philly. I remember Kathie Lee Gifford telling about being pregnant with her and Giffords first child. Meredith asked her “ who did this to you? Don’t worry, we’ll find the sumbitch.” She said Frank laughed his head off. Great memories. I didn’t recall this game.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Funny story!

[@markgardner9460]

In Frank Gifford's autobiography, he said it was like being in The Beatles - it was a 3 ring circus going from town to town.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Gifford Is in the college football HOF the pro football HOF won a Emmy award for MNF did some acting gigs was with MNF 27 years, was the NFL MVP in 1956, the guy had a amazing career,died a week before his 85th birthday,was unfortunate but not shockingly diagnosed with CTE after his death....but he had a very good ride for a long time RIP Giffer

[@markgardner9460]

He gets overlooked as being a good play by play announcer. Sure, he had quite a few players names incorrectly addressed during telecasts, but that's going to happen when you call as many games as he did. Oh, and his dealing with the banter between Meredith and Cosell had to cause a drop in his level of concentration.

[@user-nd9ls1xn5f]

R u kidding me you probably wernt around in the 1970s cosell was the most hated person on tv people actually turned the sound off

[@mikemassey7403]

There will never be another trio like these guys. All three clicked together. Turn out the lights the parties over.

[@markgardner9460]

ABC caught lightening in a bottle!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

They definitely blew the ",In the grasp" call!

[@neilschauer5080]

Chicken do do

[@zcam1969]

Howard the city slicker and Don the cowboy were great together

[@aktxag]

Butch Johnson actually called his touchdown dance the "California Quake".

[@markgardner9460]

You are correct. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@johnm8096]

Butch Johnson touchdown shimmy was the California Quake.

[@anthonybrooks5040]

Butch's "California Quake" connection? He's the most famous (if not also the only) NFL player from the University of California at Riverside.

[@alonzomadero9413]

I loved watching MNF when these guys were announcing! I remember doing my homework while watching them in the 70’s. They knew their football, 🏈 a lot of kids learned their football from these guys and Coach Madden was a good teacher too. The intro to the program got me excited for the game! They definitely knew what they were doing.

[@markgardner9460]

I can still see myself doing homework on the floor in front of the tv during commercials, then hitting the sack after the awesome halftime highlights.

[@topJimmyP1984]

Love that era of MNF!

[@markgardner9460]

Doesn't get any better, in my opinion.

[@joeyvocals1]

Predicated on his numbers alone( he could be HOF worthy!), being born I. July of 1996, I have no knowledge of these people. My grandparents tell Mr Cossell was an attorney! Sir, thank you again for a great show! Joey in Cleveland

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks, Joey! Cosell announced a lot of big boxing matches, too. He had his own national radio show and television show as well.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 Cosell was underrated and overrated if that's possible!.I loved the Halftime highlights but being 10 11 years old my parents made me go to bed after the highlights

[@PhilMoskowitz]

The "I'm seeing ghosts" MNF game was pretty funny too.

[@Shabba6884]

Totally agree with posters who’ve called Frank, Howard and Don the best MNF crew ever. And what’s more, this game was during what was probably the best period for the NFL for the fans. It’s too watered-down now, in too many ways to count.

[@markgardner9460]

I agree on all counts. The league had a pretty good balance of rushing and passing. The rules were fine for the most part, too. Thanks for commenting.

[@macsaints10]

Dandy Don, “turn out the lights, the party’s over” was one I recall like yesterday. I see a lot of guys close to my age that remember these 3 legends of the booth.

[@macsaints10]

Thanks for video!

[@markgardner9460]

I wonder what would happen if an announcer today dared to sing a jingle on the air. There would probably be calls for him to be promptly fired.

[@darylchance9324]

@@markgardner9460 The one I remember is a discussion of a Brown's receiver with an unusual name. Frank mentioned Fair Hooker and Don replied that he'd never met one.

[@dougB4454]

That acted like the reverse angle was some kind of voodoo magic. Good times.

[@markgardner9460]

1981: same year that Rubik's Cube hit the market and people went nuts over that thing, too.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

New England definitely shot themselves in the foot! Dandy Don " Up up and away, Turn out the lights!' Hilarious

[@garytruex6906]

This is the best broadcasting crew in NFL History. Knowledgeable but not taking themselves so seriously

[@markgardner9460]

That last part is key! They're too uptight today.

[@gcxred4kat9]

The glory days!

[@markgardner9460]

It doesn't get any better.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Funny ending!And typical 80s big-hair on the cheerleaders! Another winner Mark! Loved seeing the classic MNF team!

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks, Steven. I'm glad that you liked it.

[@amazingmazur6752]

Danny White was the ultimate team player. Today, he would get a big payday as a starter somewhere.

[@SPTO]

Cosell and Meredith were AWESOME together. They had all the sizzle but both could lay down some truth and solid analysis when necessary. Gifford was dull as dishwater but if you had a PBP guy with more personality it would've overwhelmed the broadcast. Whenever i see a game with this trio it's always entertaining. The 1B MNF booth to me was Al, Frank and Dan. Al was the consummate pro while Dierdorf added y'know COLOR and Giff was just the old guy who threw in a comment or two.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

On a somber note the great Willie Mays passed away yesterday at 93...RIP"Say hey kid!"

[@neilschauer5080]

Possibly the greatest all around baseball player of all time...

[@mjp96]

My imitation of Don Meredith: "Oh man!" "Look at that!!" "Whoa - watch out!" "Hoo boy".

[@markgardner9460]

The yin to Cosell's yang of long, rambling dissertations..

[@kramer2312]

I believe Emerson Walls should be a Hall of Famer. 57 interceptions is still 13th all time, 11, 7 and 9 Ints in 3 consecutive seasons and a super bowl all after being undrafted is quite an accomplishment. There are worse players in the HOF so I believe he should be in the HOF. Thanks for the vidya.

[@markgardner9460]

Thank you for your take! His interception total is impressive because although QB's were starting to throw the ball around with greater frequency than before, it's nothing like what's happening in today's game which I think makes his total more noteworthy.

[@jjw56]

Danny deserved a super bowl

[@erikrichards5072]

As a QB, of course. He does have a ring as a starting P.

[@jjw56]

@@erikrichards5072 yes he does. And two hundred years from now his descendants will say proudly that he was a qb for a super bowl team and someone will correctly point out that he was a punter. The family will scream ‘fake news!’

[@GrocMax]

I thought this was going to be the 'Howard got REALLY drunk' night, or maybe the two Seahawks MNF games with all the special teams big plays.

[@randyhanson4973]

When I tell people 45 years or older that E. Walls and Lester Hayes are not in the HOF they argue with me.

[@markgardner9460]

They are both deserving. It's a joke that they're not in - they were dominate for a long time.

[@elwin38]

Charlie Waters final season.🏈

[@nolster1]

Ha! The minute I saw this I was sure I'd have to scold you for not including Dandy Don breaking into his famous rendition of "Turn out the lights, the party's over." Not only did he sing his signature song, we also got to hear him sing Sinatra's "Chicago" and "My beautiful balloon!" I'll never doubt you again.

[@markgardner9460]

I try to come through!

[@smilingpossum7644]

This was football! Thanks guys!

[@markgardner9460]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

[@brucedailey7548]

Of course he belongs in the hall of fame. He should already be in the hall of fame.

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks for your take - I agree!

[@billsanders5067]

I rember watching a MNF in 1973. It was in late Nov., and the RIders were playing the Oilers in the Astro Dome. If I recall the Oilers had only two or three games. It was about halfway into the fourth quarter the Raiders were ahead about forty points. By then, the stands were empty. The tv camera zoomed on one man up in the nose bleed section. Howard started to say "Now there is a dedicated Oiler fan. It was about then that the man realized that he was on national TV, and raised his middle finger. Howard was so bamboozled that he couldn't talk and Dandy Don was msughing so hard that he couldn't get up of the floor.

[@markgardner9460]

Dandy Don proclaimed "He's saying his team is #1!"

[@chalesgolding5314]

ABC caught lightning in a bottle with these 3 legends…

[@teller1290]

I had an uncle who played big time college ball back in the '40's and he refused to watch MNF with sound because he loathed Cosell and his non-stop talking about things of which he didn't have a clue.

[@surfshack2]

My dad hated Cosell too.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Cosell was a polarizing figure, people either loved him or hated him no in between! I think in his later years he became bitter and burned his bridges!

[@surfshack2]

@@stevenzimmerman4057 I didn’t mind him at all, I thought he was good for MNF. He made it exciting.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@surfshack2 I agree with you

[@teller1290]

@@stevenzimmerman4057 Yeh, for me his style was just too know-it-all and insistent for a guy who likely never played anything. I didn't mind it much because often he'd make a fool of himself or Meredith would do it.

[@petertonies4334]

@4:00 mark: RG BOB CRYDER!! Big Bob C lived directly across the street from our family in O'Fallon, IL. Bob went on to play for Bear Bryant at Alabama. Drafted by Patriots, Bob played with John Hannah. Bob also played for the Seahawks.

[@markgardner9460]

Like Ole Ham Hocks, as Bear Bryant was fond of addressing John Hannah, Cryder was also a 1st round draft choice out of Alabama. Thanks for the comments!!!

[@nolster1]

At 15:11, Gifford promos the upcoming game between Oklahoma and USC. He mentions a player the Vikings should have drafted (Marcus Allen) and one they did draft (Buster Rhymes). Buster Rhymes went on to inspire a rapper to use his name, I believe after a MNF game where Rhymes returned two kicks for TD's.

[@markgardner9460]

Instead of drafting Marcus Allen, the Vikes selected Darrin Nelson because they thought he was a superior pass receiver. In the end, he was no Marcus Allen.

[@RobertPiche-ii9dt]

I think if Al Davis didn't mysteriously despise Marcus Allen and used him as he should've been used his entire Raider career his stats would be even more impressive. I never could understand why he wouldn't play him and wouldn't trade him but then trades him within the division!!!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

"Don, popcorn?" 😂

[@markgardner9460]

"I think Don is the cutest of the three!" - Meredith

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460😂

[@kennethcollins6494]

No argument,they may not have been technically a great crew, but pioneers, legends and a great team that we all looked forward to watching

[@markgardner9460]

You're right, Meredith stumbled over his words at times and his commentary sometimes lead nowhere. However, when he got hot, there was no funnier announcer.

[@neilschauer5080]

I like the Patriotic names such as John Smith & Julius Adams..😅😅😅😅😅

[@markgardner9460]

...and Harold Jackson

[@richardgreen7811]

And "NOBODY" took a knee ... Those were the days

[@texasstadium]

The year the Cowboys lost center Robert Shaw, #1 draft choice, to career ending injury. He was shaping up to be a force for years to come. The offensive line was shuffled and reshuffled after that, and the lack of depth was a major problem going forward.

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks for providing that information!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Jackson and Morgan excellent receivers even if Jackson was past his prime

[@markgardner9460]

Jackson had a pretty good game. Did you know that he finished his career as a Viking?

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

​@@markgardner9460I think he played one last year in Seattle in 1983?

[@robertghigliotty765]

Everson Walls is my favorite cowboy of all time staubach intro me to the cowboys but walls made me a fan..and I've been a fan since..alot of fans dont know who he is but ill never forget him..

[@markgardner9460]

Some folks say that his interception total is high because offenses picked on him. To me that doesn't even make sense. They threw his way often and he consequently picked off a lot of passes, so how is that a negative?

[@cardphins68]

I remember being at this game, I was in the 8th grade and my step-dad had gotten tickets! I think the "Patsies" were on their way to a 2 - 14 season and #1 Draft Pick. The games at the old Schaefer Stadium were crazy back then, especially the Monday night games!

[@markgardner9460]

It wad an electric atmosphere there - loved the fans' enthusiasm!

[@cardphins68]

@@markgardner9460 A good amount of fights in the Parking Lots, the alcohol was flowing and the air did have the smell of canabis, lol! Ahhh New England in the early 1980's, lol!

[@markgardner9460]

Reminds me of the parking lots at arenas prior to the start of early '80's rock concerts.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

@@markgardner9460 Oh yeah! A definitely alcohol and cannabis mix wafting in the air in the 80s rock.concerts....

[@cardphins68]

@@markgardner9460 Absolutely, the atmospheres are so similar! Most of these dudes were tailgaiting since 4 or 5 PM and the Suds were FLOWING!

[@sisleymichael]

Imagine Dennis Miller, Gruden, and Madden as a MNF announcing fantasy line up. Would have been funny.

[@d.martin7692]

"Turn out the lights, the party's over..."

[@markgardner9460]

I never grew tired of Dandy Don singing that!

[@bobdelaney3126]

Love MNF during this era

[@markgardner9460]

It just doesn't get any better!

[@PaulinaVenezia]

Cowboys players in those days were in great physical shape. They would outlast most of their opponents. The fatigue on the other team always hit near the end and the Cowboys would pull out the wins.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Holy cow! Dorsett was flying on the TD run! And great hustle by Drew Pearson blocking so far down field!

[@markgardner9460]

...and Pearson was actually blocking - not grabbing and holding like they do now.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

​@@markgardner9460Great observation!

[@mikemcconnell7800]

John Hannah is just manhandling Randy White. Two HOFers going at it.

[@markgardner9460]

Gotta love it!

[@0Yemiserly1]

Classic Tony Dorsett run, you could dump him for a few losses and then he'd rip off a 50+ yarder on you. I always thought Danny White was very underappreciated, playing in the shadow of Staubach and falling short of the SB three straight years, but he was a really good QB. Plus, one of the best punters of his era who also ran or threw for 1st downs from the punt formation a number of times. 🤪👍

[@markgardner9460]

Danny White was 28 years old when he finally was able to grab the reins. He made the most of his opportunity and had a fine career. T.D. was the classic home run hitter!

[@motnosniv]

All these yrs I thought his name was Emerson Walls. Cosell was one of a kind.

[@jeph33]

Great seeing Mosi in there..he aint no haole! 😎

[@paulwheeler6609]

When people still had a sense of humor.

[@jeromebarry1741]

It is an absolute national travesty that every member of the Cowboy's D from that year are not in the HOF.

[@charleslloyd4253]

Cosell always had a bottle in the booth. And would be lit by the end of the game. With Don playing with him. One game Cosell disappeared and was found passed out with his face in the porcelain bowel.

[@markgardner9460]

For 5 or 6 belts, Frank Gifford said that you couldn't tell that he was drinking, but anything over that and his speech became slurred. Thanks for the comments!

[@MrA34carr]

I remember Butch Johnson's TD celebrations were known as the "California Quake" not the earthquake shake.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

This should be good!

[@fieldguy316]

Walls should be in the Hall

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks for your take, fieldguy! It seems as though most commentors agree with us.

[@fieldguy316]

@@markgardner9460 welcome

[@manuelmaldonado2387]

these GUY was the Best that it thank you.

[@antekknoll6568]

Cowell was a fantastic journalist. But, like all arrogant fools thought people wanted to look at him and listen to him🙄🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jasonlinz2007]

Yes he does

[@jrodlange8099]

I'm not saying these Patriots were world beaters. But they have to be the best 2 win team in NFL history. They were outscored by only 48 pts on the year and lost 8 one possession games. They were out gained by 200 yards on the season. The one area they got crushed in was turnovers. Their win expectancy at worse was around 6.3 wins. Plus they had several really good players. Again, I'm not saying this team should have been destined for the Super Bowl. On the other hand, this is not the talent level I would expect to see from a 2 win team.

[@markgardner9460]

Great stuff! Thank you for providing - I like it!

[@texasstadium]

21.35 Randy White threw the great John Hannah aside in a remarkable move.

[@vincentabm]

Turn out the lights, the party's over.

[@Scottocaster6668]

Boy was NE robbed of a touchdown in the 2nd qtr. And, if you all want a recap...9:03 Your welcome!

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

He was tied with several players with 57 interceptions with Mel Blount and 1 ahead of Lem.Barney.. He's a borderline HOF in my opinion

[@markgardner9460]

Only 2 guys with more int's than him that aren't in the HOF: Darren Sharper and Dave Brown.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

You don't hear much about Dave Brown....

[@johnphelan4215]

As a Giants fan, I always hated the Cowboys, but I really hated Butch Johnson. He was like the fifth priority for the defense after the other two (better) receivers and the tight end and Dorsett, but every time he did anything he had some stupid celebration dance, like it was all about how great he was. His signature Super Bowl catch would be ruled incomplete today. Eventually went to Denver because he couldn’t crack the starting lineup in Dallas and never did squat there.

[@RodericSpode]

Howard disagrees with me, but that in the grasp call that brought the Patriots TD back was a terrible call IMO.

[@markgardner9460]

I agree - I'm surprised the official threw his flag on that play. It really took the steam out of the Patriots.

[@blowupbob1]

I wonder which one of those pom-pom's the kid at 9:00 minute mark was looking at! Lucky kid!

[@markgardner9460]

One looks like the other

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Hasselback had some big plays

[@markgardner9460]

Indeed. Huge target at 6'7". Father of two future NFL QB's.

[@Paul11B2P]

👍👍👍

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

21:33 not often that John Hannah was spun like a top

[@newyorkjukebox9209]

Those late 70s/early 80s New England teams were good enough to get my hopes up, but not good enough to satisfy them.

[@markgardner9460]

Morgan and Jackson were an exciting WR deep threat. I think they both averaged 20+ yards per catch a 2 or 3 times in the same season.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Rod Shoate a name I haven't heard in quite some time.

[@markgardner9460]

Oklahoma?

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

​@@markgardner9460Yes Oklahoma and I just read a article about his life and suffice it to say he had a rough time after football..

[@Texashog11]

Was this the game where a cameraman had zeroed in on a gorgeous woman and she picked her nose with a nail then noticed the camera on her? Meridith never paused when he said “Well, almost perfect.”

[@fritzpollard266]

Nice reminder that the entertainment isn’t just what happens on the field. After this I’m positive the reanimated corpse of Frank Gifford would do a better job than Joe Buck. I don’t know about anyone else but If I was Don Meredith I would find it very hard to concentrate on the game as I’d be consumed by the thought Cosell might puke on me again.

[@markgardner9460]

Love your first statement. Plus, Joe Buck is dry and utterly boring to me. If it seems that he is so amazing, it's only because he's near the best of an extremely weak field of play by play announcers.

[@stevenzimmerman4057]

Play by play announcers aren't nearly as good as they used to be...

[@markgardner9460]

They're cookie cutter announcers

[@soulpatrolhawaii5409]

Longtime Pats fan here - anyone know why the 70s and 80s Pats used to have their O-linemen line up a bit behind the line of scrimmage? Don't recall any other teams doing this... Also, RIP Russ Francis and Mosi Tatupu, the two Hawaii guys that hooked me on the Pats starting in the mid 70s.

[@markgardner9460]

I do not know why, unless the reasoning was momentum-related. Thank you for bringing that point up.

[@RobertPiche-ii9dt]

The only reason I can possibly think of is someone in the organization must've determined lining up this way was some sort of competitive advantage. The fact no one else was doing it and to my knowledge hasn't done it since means they were alone in this belief! Haa

[@RobertPiche-ii9dt]

Some of the best mid 70's games were between New England and Oakland. Grogans Heroes right? Both had solid leadership. Featured monstrous and talented OL's. I always thought the Raiders had just a bit more experience in big games. Sadly for the Raiders they suffered many heart breaking losses in big games and I think by the mid 70's they decided no one was beating them and of course they won their first SB 75-76 season

[@RobertPiche-ii9dt]

Last, last Patriot-Raider footnote. Daryl Stingley incident. I always liked the Raiders, especially all their extra curriculars! Haa. But Tatum hitting Stingley this hard in a preseason game has always not sat right with me. I listen to Jack Tatum and he says he "only knows one way to play and he plays that way in preseason or the SB". It sounds right. Sorta?? I guess?? Maybe?? I just don't know and never will know how I truly feel about that play.

[@soulpatrolhawaii5409]

@@RobertPiche-ii9dt The Stingley incident was tragic. I worked with Russ Francis briefly several years ago, and he was very close to Darryl. I talked with Russ about that ‘76 Raiders playoff game. He thinks it was fixed, and mentioned that George Atkinson punched him in the the face and broke his nose, but no penalty was called. Yet, when Hamilton barely grazed Stabler, a game changing penalty was called, on a 3rd and 18 incomplete pass late in the 4th quarter that gifted the raiders the game. And back then, no one called a roughing the passer penalty on that kind of incidental contact. I really think that Pats 76 team would’ve had a good shot at winning the super bowl as they beat both the raiders and steelers that year in the regular season. Oh well, I guess they got some poetic justice decades later with the “tuck rule “ call vs the raiders decades later that launched a dynasty…

[@roberthunter7247]

👏👏👏👏❤️‍🔥

[@markgardner9460]

Thanks!

[@r.williamcomm7693]

6:54 Everson Walls INT excellent

[@MrTyroneweaver]

Walls??? LOL He led in interceptions b/c they picked on him

[@markgardner9460]

Would it be better if he dropped the passes and didn't make the interceptions? So what if they picked on him? They regretted it when he made all of those interceptions.

[@zcam1969]

Mark is Cliff Harris in the HOF ?

[@markgardner9460]

Yes, Harris was recently inducted into the HOF. I think he should have gone in a long time ago.