Stallions Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) There were three seconds left in the game, score tied at 13, and million of viewers watching "Monday Night Football" as New England Patriots kicker John Smith trotted onto the Orange Bowl field 39 years ago. Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell called the famous "Monday Night Football" game the night John Lennon was shot and killed. For those who remember the next few moments of that night, Dec. 8, 1980, Smith and the game itself have become historical and cultural markers overshadowed by but forever connected to Howard Cosell's announcement that John Lennon had been shot and killed. "Remember, this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses," Cosell told TV viewers. " Players and fans inside the stadium were not aware of what Cosell had just announced on national television. There was no public-address announcement or murmur through the crowd, like there would have been today with people scanning social-networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Instead, fans inside the stadium watched as Smith's kick was blocked, disappearing into the aqua and orange of Miami's defensive line. The Dolphins scored on the first possession of overtime to win 16-13. Edited December 10, 2019 by Stallions 3
EasternOHBillsFan Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Not me... first tragedy I remember as a kid was when Brady, Reagan's Press Secretary, was shot in 1981.
Gray Beard Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 If it was announced at the end of a MNF game, then I was in bed. I don’t think I have ever stayed up to watch the end of a MNF game in my life.
SomeDudeAtHome Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 Man, reading the title of 39 years ago I was expecting the year to be 1960 something not 1980. I'm getting old.... 3 2
Tcali Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) 15 minutes ago, Stallions said: here were three seconds left in the game, score tied at 13, and million of viewers watching "Monday Night Football" as New England Patriots kicker John Smith trotted onto the Orange Bowl field 39 years ago. Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell called the famous "Monday Night Football" game the night John Lennon was shot and killed. For those who remember the next few moments of that night, Dec. 8, 1980, Smith and the game itself have become historical and cultural markers overshadowed by but forever connected to Howard Cosell's announcement that John Lennon had been shot and killed. "Remember, this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses," Cosell told TV viewers. " Players and fans inside the stadium were not aware of what Cosell had just announced on national television. There was no public-address announcement or murmur through the crowd, like there would have been today with people scanning social-networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Instead, fans inside the stadium watched as Smith's kick was blocked, disappearing into the aqua and orange of Miami's defensive line. The Dolphins scored on the first possession of overtime to win 16-13. I was watching on TV at The Stuffed Mushroom on Main St. with a couple of buddies. Edited December 10, 2019 by Tcali 1
RiotAct Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 whoa, I just watched the Barbara Walters “American Scandals” episode on HULU the other day that has her jailhouse interview with Chapman.
JDubya76 Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 17 minutes ago, Stallions said: here were three seconds left in the game, score tied at 13, and million of viewers watching "Monday Night Football" as New England Patriots kicker John Smith trotted onto the Orange Bowl field 39 years ago. Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell called the famous "Monday Night Football" game the night John Lennon was shot and killed. For those who remember the next few moments of that night, Dec. 8, 1980, Smith and the game itself have become historical and cultural markers overshadowed by but forever connected to Howard Cosell's announcement that John Lennon had been shot and killed. "Remember, this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses," Cosell told TV viewers. " Players and fans inside the stadium were not aware of what Cosell had just announced on national television. There was no public-address announcement or murmur through the crowd, like there would have been today with people scanning social-networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Instead, fans inside the stadium watched as Smith's kick was blocked, disappearing into the aqua and orange of Miami's defensive line. The Dolphins scored on the first possession of overtime to win 16-13. Was that the guy that was in Paul McCartney‘s band before Wings? 1
Tcali Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 5 minutes ago, SomeDudeAtHome said: Man, reading the title of 39 years ago I was expecting the year to be 1960 something not 1980. I'm getting old.... it is weird...i was 22 at the time.just a kid. now im a senior citizen:) 2
CoudyBills Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 That was after Paul died and was replaced with a look-alike, right?
ticketssince61 Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 If I remember correctly, the result of that game put the bills into the playoffs or at least made it very likely John Lennon RIP 1
Stallions Posted December 10, 2019 Author Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, CoudyBills said: That was after Paul died and was replaced with a look-alike, right? IF you are trying to be funny - massive fail. 3 minutes ago, ticketssince61 said: If I remember correctly, the result of that game put the bills into the playoffs or at least made it very likely John Lennon RIP YES - Chuck Knox era. Edited December 10, 2019 by Stallions
SectionC3 Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 friend of a friend was with Bono from u2 when the news broke. Interesting story. U2 was playing a club in Buffalo that night. 2
LB48 Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 That was when MNF was much watch TV. It didn't matter who was playing.
CoudyBills Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 18 minutes ago, Stallions said: IF you are trying to be funny - massive fail. YES - Chuck Knox era. Yep, my bad.
cwater10 Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) 46 minutes ago, ticketssince61 said: If I remember correctly, the result of that game put the bills into the playoffs or at least made it very likely John Lennon RIP No. Not exactly. The Bills had just beat the Rams and danced on the field afterward in the fog (great memories... favorite Bills season ever), but they still had some good old fashioned Bills drama left. The lost the following weekend in New England and Ferguson broke his foot. Because it was 1980, he played through it and nobody really acknowledged that it was broken. The final week it was all or nothing in San Fran in the Candlestick mud against a young Joe Montana that was still learning how to be Joe Montana. There is a famous Van Miller call floating around on You Tube of the final play that goes something like "And so the season all comes down to this one final play." Montana heaved a Hail Mary into the end zone that was close, but batted away at the last moment by the Bills, finally giving them the AFC East crown. Interesting footnote to that season: every AFC playoff team, division winners and wild cards included, finished 11-5. If Montana completes that pass, Bills would have been out. It seemed like an unnecessarily close scare to the 6-10 49ers. The following year, Montana figured out who he was going to become and won his 1st Super Bowl. Super fun season in 1980. And it was also tragically memorable due to the event referenced by OP. I remember sitting in silence with friends in a dorm room at St. Bona in disbelief as Howard broke the news. I think I heard nothing but John Lennon music for the next month. RIP John! Still missed. Edited December 10, 2019 by cwater10
SoCal Deek Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 I indeed remember it well. Very sad mood hung over the entire nation that night. Anyone making light of it is just too young to know what a stunner it was. I’m hard pressed to think of a current entertainer who’s death would have such an impact. 1 2
Rocket94 Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Stallions said: There were three seconds left in the game, score tied at 13, and million of viewers watching "Monday Night Football" as New England Patriots kicker John Smith trotted onto the Orange Bowl field 39 years ago. Frank Gifford and Howard Cosell called the famous "Monday Night Football" game the night John Lennon was shot and killed. For those who remember the next few moments of that night, Dec. 8, 1980, Smith and the game itself have become historical and cultural markers overshadowed by but forever connected to Howard Cosell's announcement that John Lennon had been shot and killed. "Remember, this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses," Cosell told TV viewers. " Players and fans inside the stadium were not aware of what Cosell had just announced on national television. There was no public-address announcement or murmur through the crowd, like there would have been today with people scanning social-networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Instead, fans inside the stadium watched as Smith's kick was blocked, disappearing into the aqua and orange of Miami's defensive line. The Dolphins scored on the first possession of overtime to win 16-13. I remember that night. I was 16 and watching the game. It became kind of eerie.
dave mcbride Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 1 hour ago, SectionC3 said: friend of a friend was with Bono from u2 when the news broke. Interesting story. U2 was playing a club in Buffalo that night. Uncle Sam’s if I recall.
Tcali Posted December 10, 2019 Posted December 10, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, cwater10 said: No. Not exactly. The Bills had just beat the Rams and danced on the field afterward in the fog (great memories... favorite Bills season ever), but they still had some good old fashioned Bills drama left. The lost the following weekend in New England and Ferguson broke his foot. Because it was 1980, he played through it and nobody really acknowledged that it was broken. The final week it was all or nothing in San Fran in the Candlestick mud against a young Joe Montana that was still learning how to be Joe Montana. There is a famous Van Miller call floating around on You Tube of the final play that goes something like "And so the season all comes down to this one final play." Montana heaved a Hail Mary into the end zone that was close, but batted away at the last moment by the Bills, finally giving them the AFC East crown. Interesting footnote to that season: every AFC playoff team, division winners and wild cards included, finished 11-5. If Montana completes that pass, Bills would have been out. It seemed like an unnecessarily close scare to the 6-10 49ers. The following year, Montana figured out who he was going to become and won his 1st Super Bowl. Super fun season in 1980. And it was also tragically memorable due to the event referenced by OP. I remember sitting in silence with friends in a dorm room at St. Bona in disbelief as Howard broke the news. I think I heard nothing but John Lennon music for the next month. RIP John! Still missed. I loved that Chuck Knox era....as usual we get a great coach in and Ralph...welll...is Ralph.Chuck wanted to stay but couldnt see 'eye to eye' with mr wilson. Edited December 10, 2019 by Tcali 1
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