Monday Night Football officially started on September 21, 1970, with a game between the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets.

Quick Scoop

  • The first Monday Night Football telecast aired on ABC on September 21, 1970.
  • The inaugural matchup featured the Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets in Cleveland, with the Browns winning 31–21.
  • The concept grew out of NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle’s early‑1960s push to bring pro football into prime‑time TV.

In simple terms: if you’re wondering “when did Monday Night Football start,” the answer is 1970, with that Browns–Jets game under the lights in September.

TL;DR: Monday Night Football began on September 21, 1970, with the Cleveland Browns beating the New York Jets on ABC’s first prime‑time NFL broadcast.

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