39 Years of Monday Night Football ... and me
39 years ago tonight, Monday Night Football was born, weaving itself into the fabric of Americana like no other weekly sports broadcast before or since. The Browns defeated the Jets back then, clinching the victory by intercepting Broadway Joe in the 4th quarter for a touchdown. It must have been quite a game.
My mom remembers that date clearly - not because it was a great game, but rather because she was in labor with me most of the day. They didn't let fathers into the delivery room back then, so dad had the luxury of watching that first broadcast in the waiting room of Methodist Hospital. He must have whispered to me earlier how important the game was, considering he was a rabid Cleveland fan, because I was courteous enough not to make my appearance until the very moment the game ended, around 11:30 that night.
And what do you think my dad said to my mom when rushing into the delivery room to meet his first and only daughter....the first girl, in fact, to be born in his family since his own mother during World War I?
"The Browns won, THE BROWNS WON!!!"
My dad. Quite the sentimentalist. But I always loved hearing that story. And hear about it, I have.
So this year my birthday once again falls on Monday Night Football. The Colts play the Fins tonight, which is appropriate since my dad had long shifted loyalty to our local team. I will tune in tonight, and I will root for our Colts just as he would have.
And if some life changing event happens to occur as the final seconds tick away, I'll do my best to remember what is truly important.
Thanks Mom and Dad, for bringing me into the world. There just aren't any better parents.
