The assassination of John Lennon, on Monday, December 8th, 1980, was first announced to the world by Howard Cosell while broadcasting New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (1980). According to Frank Gifford, Lennon met Ronald Reagan when both were guests on a Monday Night Football game on Monday, December 8th, 1975. This game link is Denver Broncos vs. Oakland Raiders (1975). Coincidentally, exactly 5 years, (& two February 29ths, = 261 weeks) differ among John Lennon's visit and death, Monday, December 8th, 1975 & Monday, December 8th, 1980. After appearing on the show, John Lennon gave Gifford and Howard Cosell each a complete collection of Beatles' albums, that he autographed, personally.
The addition featuring comic Dennis Miller as a color commentator in 2001 was met with controversy as many of Miller's jokes and comments went over the heads of viewers. ABC ultimately ended up setting up a web page dedicated to explaining Miller's many obscure (and not-so-obscure) pop culture references.
On Monday, December 28th, 1998, the season closer, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1998) was the game that, play-by-play commentator Al Michaels accidentally said, "No shit!" on the air, answering to a question asked by his colleague, Dan Dierdorf about NCAA Football team, Boston College. It turned out that Michaels thought that a scheduled interview was already occurring and did not know his microphone was still turned on. At halftime of this game, Doug Flutie, a former Boston College quarterback was interviewed.
On Monday, September 5th, 1983, during Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Redskins (1983), Howard Cosell called Redskins' wide receiver Alvin Garrett "a little monkey". Following two months of continuous & intense public pressure, he resigned from the Monday Night Football broadcast team after being the lead commentator for the first 14 seasons, as the program started in 1970. Howard Cosell was lead commentator & co-leading commentator for 194 Monday Night Football games.
The highest rated game in the program's history address link is Chicago Bears vs. Miami Dolphins (1985) on Monday, December 2nd, 1985. As the Miami Dolphins defeated the Chicago Bears (that were 12 & 0) breaking the Chicago Bears' undefeated season hope.