Monday Night Football
Weekly evening pigskin
Monday Night Football is the weekly NFL game broadcast on Monday evenings during the American football season, a television institution since 1970.
The phrase evokes a specific cultural ritual—gathering to watch football as the workweek begins: We're having people over for Monday Night Football.
The game and its broadcast style influenced how sports are televised.
American sports broadcaster
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- play-by-playReal-time event narration
- color commentarySupplementary broadcast narration
- halftime showPerformance during sporting break
graphics · scoreboard · highlights · instant replay · booth · analysts · sideline reporter · simulcast
Six-point gridiron play
- quarterbackPassing position in football
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- field goalPoints from a kick
- sackRough fabric bag
fumble · punt · blitz · tackle · endzone · linebacker · audible · snap
Evaluative scores assigned
- NielsenTV ratings firm
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
- commercialsPaid promotional broadcasts
advertisers · households · demographics · market share · cord-cutting · streaming · watch party · bars
Opening play in football
- tailgateRear vehicle hatch
- stadiumLarge venue for spectators
- crowdLarge public gathering
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
lights · primetime slot · anticipation · countdown · workweek · gathering · food · drinks
ESPN
American sports broadcaster
- commentaryExplanatory remarks on events
- play-by-playReal-time event narration
- color commentarySupplementary broadcast narration
halftime show · graphics · scoreboard · highlights · instant replay · booth · analysts · sideline reporter · simulcast · production
touchdown
Six-point gridiron play
- quarterbackPassing position in football
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
- field goalPoints from a kick
sack · fumble · punt · blitz · tackle · endzone · linebacker · audible · snap · Hail Mary
ratings
Evaluative scores assigned
- NielsenTV ratings firm
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
commercials · advertisers · households · demographics · market share · cord-cutting · streaming · watch party · bars · sports bars
kickoff
Opening play in football
atmosphere · lights · primetime slot · anticipation · countdown · workweek · gathering · food · drinks · jerseys
institution
Established organization or custom
Michaels · history · anthem · opener · doubleheader · schedule · flexing · rivalry · classic games · fanfare
- 1970 eventsApollo 13, Earth Day, Kent State
- sports traditionstailgating, huddle, seventh inning stretch, awards banquet, team cheer
- Football HistoryNFL, rugby, Super Bowl, Heisman Trophy, Hall of Fame
- NFL seasonregular season, preseason, playoffs, Super Bowl, offseason
- footballtouchdown, field goal, quarterback, end zone, goal
- TV showsTV shows, sitcom, The Office, cartoon, Modern Family
Monday Night Footballdead air
Unintended broadcast quiet
test patterns · public access television · infomercials · regional coverage
Monday, night, football, nightly, nights, nighttime, overnight, nightfall, nightlife