Fang's Bites

Doing Your Friday Megalinkage Early

At least early for me. Hoping to get these done to free myself for the evening. Lots of stuff to get to.

Your Weekend Viewing Picks give you sports and entertainment viewing suggestions.

Let’s do your links now.

National

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks with NFL Films president Steve Sabol about the new HBO Sports documentary, Lombardi which premieres Saturday night.

Mike Snider of USA Today got an inside look at the Madden NFL video game development meetings.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch says if you’re looking for some drama during ESPN’s Heisman Trophy Presentation regarding Auburn QB Cam Newton, then you’ll be looking in the wrong place.

Joshua Weinstein of Variety looks back at sports television’s biggest rights deal in 2010, the CBS/Turner agreement with the NCAA for the men’s basketball tournament.

Michael Malone at Broadcasting & Cable mentions some changes in the Univision news and sports divisions.

John Eggerton at B&C writes that a March hearing date has been set for the carriage dispute between Tennis Channel and Comcast.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that four US cable and satellite providers will carry CBC’s first 3-D presentation of Hockey Night in Canada tomorrow.

Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine writes that the Foxwoods sponsorship deal with MSG Network could have far reaching effects throughout sports.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser says Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will be profiled on Sunday’s edition of 60 Minutes.

Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid gets behind the mystery of why Chris Berman had a mustache earlier this year.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the NFL’s doctors are nervous about the league having an official helmet.

Darren talks with the chair and CEO of sports powerhouse IMG. 

Sports Media Watch notes that ABC’s college football ratings and viewership were down from last season.

SMW says on the other hand, ESPN says it had its highest viewership for college football in more than a decade.

SMW says the ACC Championship Game’s ratings were up on ESPN, but still very low overall.

And SMW tells us that the Big 12 Championship Game’s ratings suffered a drop from last year.

My Twitter Trophy wife, Amanda Rykoff, a.k.a. The OCD Chick, has some observations from her first Baseball Winter Meetings in espnW.

Amanda also notes that the Winter Meetings aren’t an Old Boys Club anymore.

Awful Announcing notes that the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett is keeping an eye on the wardrobe of TNT’s Craig Sager.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe notes that the Red Sox’s offseason moves will pay off for NESN’s ratings in the summer.

Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald notes how Patriots coach Bill Belichick has his weekly segment down pat on the team’s weekly in-house TV show.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette has his take on the ESPN production of Jets-Patriots on Monday Night Football.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times recaps Auburn QB Cam Newton’s interview on ESPN which aired Thursday.

At the New York Post, Phil Mushnick reminds us that we watch the game for the event, not the announcers. Thank you for that, Phil.

The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for Fox Sports’ Jimmy Johnson.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says Bills fans in New York’s Capital Region won’t be able to watch their team on Sunday.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun asks readers which announcers seem to have a bias against the Charm City.

Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says Capitals analyst Craig Laughlin was not swearing on live TV the other night and explains why.

Dan says the Caps are just barely beating the Wizards in the local TV ratings.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner speaks with the producer of the joint NFL Films/HBO Sports documentary, “Lombardi”.

South

Barry Jackson from the Miami Herald feels it could make for interesting TV when Bill Simmons joins ESPN’s team to call tonight’s Heat-Golden State game.

Sarah Talalay of the South Florida Sun Sentinel notes that the Miami Heat have launched their own store on Facebook.

Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has some various sports media stories in today’s column.

Barry Horn from the Dallas Morning News has a quick preview of Jerry Jones’ appearance on 60 Minutes this Sunday.

Ray Buck of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Fox won’t be using Pat Summerall to call January’s Cotton Bowl and will use it as a dry run for the following month’s Super Bowl XLV.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle talks with ESPN’s Tom Jackson about the Texans as his Super Bowl pick.

Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman discusses the end of ESPN’s critically acclaimed 30 for 30 documentary series.

Mel also has his sports media notebook.

Midwest

John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes the Queen City will be getting a live local sports morning show in January.

Mike Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Gazette talks with the man who will call the Michigan State-Michigan outdoor hockey game on Fox Sports Detroit on Saturday.

Jeff Arnold of AnnArbor.com says Fox Sports Detroit plans to give the outdoor game a big event feel.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has some thoughts on Don Meredith’s passing.

Bob has Fox’s announcing assignment for this Sunday’s Green Bay-Detroit game.

Ed Sherman of Crain’s Chicago Business has his weekly winners and losers in sports business and media.

The Chicago Tribune live blogged the funeral services for Cubs third baseman and radio announcer Ron Santo.

At the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dan Caesar notes that the NHL likes being on Versus despite some huge warts.

Dan says the St. Louis Billikens are preparing for what they believe is their first nationally televised over the air broadcast against Duke.

West

Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune points out that the Chargers narrowly averted another blackout this weekend.

John Maffei at the North County Times says two sports documentaries tomorrow are definitely “Must See TV”.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star says Don Meredith helped to make color analysts, colorful.

Jim notes that the Miami Heat have helped the NBA’s TV ratings.

Mike Perrault of the Desert Sun (CA) writes about a new Golf Channel series that will chronicle the comeback of a former homeless man who was once a prominent golf instructor.

Diane Pucin from the Los Angeles Times notes that Dodgers announcer Charley Steiner will receive an honorary doctorate.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says Steiner will also be the mid-term commencement speaker at his alma mater this month.

Tom has a look at the new espnW site.

Tom has more on espnW in his media column.

Tom also has his extensive news and notes in his blog.

Canada

Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail has a look at the local sports radio ratings.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star looks at CBC’s first foray into 3-D TV with Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast.

Kimiya Shokoohi of the Vancouver Metro also writes about the CBC’s 3-D production.

And that will conclude the megalinks. They’re actually done before 3 p.m.! That’s bonus for you and me.

Expect some press releases tonight. Actually more than some, lots of them.

Some Mid-Week Links

Let’s do some links on this Wednesday. I may do more this evening.

First, Sports Business Daily points out that Monday Night Football received the 5th highest audience on cable this year.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks about ESPN’s plethora of bowls and discusses Captain Blowhard doing commentary on an NBA game this Friday.

Barry Bloom at MLB.com writes that former Montreal Expos voice and current Florida Marlins radio play-by-play Dave Van Horne has won the Ford C. Frick Award and will be inducted into the broadcaster’s wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Milton Kent of Fanhouse says Monday Night Football doesn’t have that special feeling like it used to.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell talks with NCAA President Mark Emmert about not paying student athletes.

Anthony Crupi at Mediaweek discusses Monday Night Football’s ratings.

As Howard Cosell, Richard Sandomir in the New York Times remembers Don Meredith.

To Newsday and Neil Best who writes how Frank Gifford helped to transition Don Meredith from the football field to the TV booth.

Neil notes that Frank and Dandy Don actually acted in a play together.

Neil wondered why Fran Tarkenton was in the Monday Night Football booth the night that John Lennon was shot 30 year ago.

Neil reviews HBO’s documentary on the late Vince Lombardi.

Neil wonders why we’re seeing a lot of Vince Lombardi lately.

This is like the old days when I used to link to Neil a lot. Glad that Newsday.com is open for a month.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that ESPN has created yet another college basketball event.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit who’s happy that the BCS is back in the Alleged Worldwide Leader’s fold.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News is disappointed Texas Rangers voice Eric Nadel did not win the Ford C. Frick Award.

Barry has NBC’s Rodney Harrison singing the praises of Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.

I’ll finish the linkage later tonight. This should tie you over.

Some Tuesday Night Links

Let’s do some additional linkage since I had to cut the regular Tuesday links short earlier today.

Bill Krueger of the Poynter Institute looks at how Yahoo! Sports has made a name for itself in sports investigations.

Jason Humphries of Reuters has International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge hopeful that the US TV rights for the 2014/16 Olympics will exceed what NBC paid for the 2012/14 Games.

Also from Reuters, Steve Keating says the NHL is bullish that a new US TV deal could put the league on equal footing with the other major sports leagues.

Craig Custance at the Sporting News has NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman optimistic over the negotiations for a new US TV contract.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the last bastion of sports sponsorship is time.

From Fox Sports, Brian Lowry says it’s no coincidence ESPN scheduled the Heisman Trophy Presentation and its 30 for 30 documentary on SMU football back-to-back on Saturday.

Dylan Stableford of The Wrap takes a look at the launch of espnW. 

With Newsday free to all for a month, I’m taking advantage. Neil Best has a story on ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary series which for all intents and purposes ends on Saturday.
From the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog, Dan Steinberg recaps how a local radio station landed the volatile interview with DC NFL team defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth this week.

Leonard Shapiro of the Post notes that the Daniel Snyder-owned sports radio station hasn’t pulled any punches on the DC NFL team.

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes that the local ratings for the Falcons are on fire.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Texas Rangers are changing flagship radio stations. 

Bill Livingston of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer says Don Meredith may have helped to make Monday Night Football a party, but not in his private life.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says the 30 for 30 DVD boxed set is LA-heavy.

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times remembers Don Meredith. 

Eric Young at the San Francisco Business Times says Comcast is urging Dish Network customers to cut the cord over the satellite provider’s decision to pull its SportsNet California channel. 

Sports Media Watch mentions that Captain Blowhard will be on the live call of an NBA game for ESPN this week.

SMW says that the Big 12 Championship scored a four year ratings low.

SMW notes that the SEC Championship’s ratings for CBS were down from last year, but still held its own.

Joe Favorito says George Mason University is going all-21st Century by developing a smartphone app so fans can listen to basketball games and keep up with the school’s sports.

Phil Swann at TV Predictions says MLB Network wants to gain carriage on Dish Network and AT&T U-Verse.

Dave Kohl at the Major League Programs blog isn’t happy over Marvin Miller’s exclusion from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid says ESPN’s Michelle Beadle’s attire is burning up the internet.

And that will do it for tonight. Maybe a press release or two and if I get motivated, an original post. Keep your RSS feeds updated.

Quick Tuesday Linkage

Been all over the place today and I have a free moment to do some links for you. Let’s get to them.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand remembers the late Don Meredith.

Mike also looks at some of the ratings from the weekend.

The Baseball Writers Association of America has announced that Philadelphia Daily News writer Bill Conlin has won the J.G. Taylor Spink Award and will be inducted into the writers wing of Baseball Hall of Fame next year.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch wonders if ESPN threw Derek Anderson under the bus by showing him laughing on the sidelines during the San Francisco-Arizona game two Monday nights ago.

Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, the St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans has high hopes for espnW.

Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek says Super Bowl XLV is proving to be a car adfest.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says LeBron James’ return to Cleveland may have proven to be a dud on the court, but it was a ratings winner.

Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser says retired manager Joe Torre is considering a return to broadcasting.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell feels the NBA taking over the New Orleans Hornet would not be worth it for the league.

Janice Prodaska of WTIC-TV and CTNow.com says Foxwoods Casino is increasing its advertising on MSG Network.

Neil Best sighting! Neil Best sighting! Newsday’s Neil Best tells us that the dreaded pay wall at Newsday.com is down! Temporarily.

Neil writes that the ratings for Monday Night Football in Boston for Jets-Patriots were higher than in New York.

Neil says Dandy Don Meredith was a one-of-a-kind personality.

Douglas Martin and Bill Carter of the New York Times also write about Meredith.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has Frank Gifford’s thoughts on Meredith’s passing.

To the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog and Dan Steinberg who says one DC radio station is expanding its coverage of the Capitals.

Michael Wilbon writes his last column for the Post and bids farewell to his readers. Wilbon will join ESPN full-time.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner says the ratings for the PGA’s Chevron World Challenge with Tiger Woods in contention were decent against the NFL.

Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News tells us that the Texas Rangers may be changing radio stations.

Tim Colishaw of the Morning News says ranks Don Meredith among the greatest Cowboys quarterbacks.

Randy Galloway of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram doesn’t want the party to end with Don Meredith’s passing.

Ray Buck of the Star-Telegram also writes about Don Meredith.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says Meredith wanted football to be fun.

John McClain of the Chronicle says Meredith was a giant on the field and off.

Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business shares a personal story about Ron Santo.

I will end it there for now. I’ll have more linkage tonight.

ESPN Remembers Don Meredith

The legacy of ABC Sports is within the halls of ESPN and while Don Meredith probably never set foot at the Alleged Worldwide Leader, it still is the keeper for ABC’s history in sports.

And with Monday Night Football now on ESPN, it’s up to the network to remember Don Meredith’s who’s influence on the series especially in its infancy is immeasurable. Tonight during Monday Night Countdown, Chris Berman will introduce a tribute to Meredith and during halftime of the New York Jets-New England Patriots game, Mike Tirico will talk with Dandy Don’s play-by-play partner for all but one year of his tenure on MNF, Frank Gifford.

ESPN has sent this release with various executives and personalities remembering Don Meredith and his legacy on Monday Night Football.

ESPN Remembers Monday Night Football Legend Don Meredith

 

Don Meredith was part of the Monday Night Football booth beginning with the first season on ABC in 1970 when he paired with Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell. Meredith spent 12 seasons working on sports television’s signature series (1970-73 and 1977-84). Frank Gifford (1971-97) and Dan Dierdorf (1987-98) are the only former NFL players or coaches who have called more MNF games in the 40-year history of the show.

 

Bob Iger, President and CEO Walt Disney Company:

“Many deserve credit for making Monday Night Football into an incredible fan experience that has endured for decades and Dandy Don Meredith is one of them. I was privileged to work with him and will miss his humor, insight and charm.”

 

George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports; Co-chairman, Disney Media Networks:

“Don Meredith was a true legend, whose disarming style and quick wit helped him successfully transition from star NFL quarterback to broadcasting legend. He helped launch Monday Night Football on ABC in 1970 and his contributions over the next decade helped transform sports television’s signature series into a cultural icon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Susan, and the entire Meredith family.”

 

Monday Night Football play-by-play voice Mike Tirico:

“Don Meredith was a huge part of what has made Monday Night Football so special. His approach, attitude and love of football came thought in every broadcast. Just the phrase, “Turn out the lights, the party’s over” makes any football fan watching in the 70s and early 80s break out in a smile. He was one of a kind and helped make Monday night’s magical. For any of us who have had Monday Night Football as a part of our life, it is a sad day.”

 

Analyst Ron Jaworski:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Don a few times. He was a guy I admired as much as anyone, both as a player and as an analyst. His great work inspired me to always be prepared and to have fun doing it. He loved what he did and it always showed. We’re going to miss him.’” 

 

Analyst Jon Gruden:

“I used to sneak downstairs and watch Don and Monday Night Football when I was supposed to be asleep in bed growing up. He was special. Those crews had a lot of fun together and I always loved hearing him sing, ‘Turn out the lights, the party’s over.’” 

 

ESPN NFL studio host Chris Berman:

“Don Meredith was a television pioneer who made pro football real, even for non-football fans. I can’t remember watching a Monday Night Football telecast, and I’ve seen a few, where Dandy Don failed to make me smile.”

 

Executive Vice President of Elias Sports Bureau Steve Hirdt, the Director of Information for MNF since 1982 who worked three seasons with Meredith on ABC:

“Don was present at the launch of two great NFL institutions: the Dallas Cowboys in 1960, and Monday Night Football in 1970. Don’s style, wit and commentary helped put Monday Night into the public consciousness in the early years. I had enjoyed him as a viewer for years, but it wasn’t until I started working on the show that I learned that he was a whole lot smarter than he liked to portray himself on television. Don would use information I provided by prefacing it with, ‘Well, I don’t know how I know this, but…’  He helped Monday Night Football get off to a great start and the show wouldn’t be what it is today without his influence. We’re going to miss him.” 

 

Planned ESPN Tributes: 

Chris Berman will voice a tribute to Don Meredith tonight that will air on Monday Night Countdown (approx. 7:10 p.m. ET) and during the MNF halftime. Also, Mike Tirico will have an interview with Meredith’s longtime booth-mate and friend Frank Gifford during the MNF halftime.

That is it.

Some Monday Links

I’ll do a few Monday links. Can’t believe how quickly this day is moving. I’ve already been to three places today. It’s been quite crazy.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes about this season’s BCS not being all that sexy.

Rupal Parekh and Brian Steinberg from Advertising Age discuss the logjam of auto advertisers in Super Bowl XLV.

Jason Fray at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center tells us that Gawker is looking to reinvent the sports blog and sports departments should take note.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News has an obituary of original Monday Night Football analyst Don Meredith who died Sunday.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says Sunday Night Football won the network primetime ratings again.

David Kaplan from paidContent notes that ESPN has launched its women’s sports website today. 

Brian Stelter of the New York Times cites a new ESPN study which finds that a small number of cable TV subscribers are “cutting the cord”.

Toni Monkovic of the Times looks at how Howard Cosell broke the news of John Lennon’s death on Monday Night Football some 30 years ago. Goodness. It’s been 30 years?

From the New York Post, Mike Rubin has his theories as to why the NFL is killing in the ratings this year.

Phil Mushnick from the Post finds two letters that show that Ron Santo almost did not become a Chicago Cub.

Newsday’s Neil Best has a short blurb on Don Meredith’s passing.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes Fox’s high ratings for Dallas-Indianapolis yesterday.

Pete says Don Meredith leaves a big legacy behind.

Pete has the NFL Week 14 & 15 TV schedules for New York’s Capital Region.

Laura Nachman passes her condolences to the family of legendary Philadelphia basketball writer Phil Jasner who died last week at the age of 68.

The Baltimore Sun’s David Zurawik says NBC came up big during the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game on Sunday night.

David says Pittsburgh-Baltimore drew big ratings for NBC.

And David writes that Pittsburgh not only beat Baltimore on the field but in the ratings battle as well.

Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog noticed that Vanity Fair had a photo shoot and video with Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby and Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin in advance of next month’s NHL Winter Classic.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner notes the ratings for Steelers-Ravens on NBC.

Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times has a look back at the weekend in sports TV.

Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel says the big Lee Corso head was stolen from the College Gameday set in Corvallis, OR over the weekend. 

Tim Colishaw of the Dallas Morning News shares some memories of Don Meredith.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reviews ESPN’s 30 for 30 documentary on the SMU football program.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wonders if Brett Favre will escape penalty from the NFL over the Jenn Sterger issue.

Bob talks about Fox’s Brian Billick’s analysis of the Packers.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says high school football fans were gypped with tape delayed coverage over the weekend.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has this week’s SoCal sports calendar.

Chuck Schilken of the Los Angeles Times says the Don Meredith he remembers endorsed Lipton Tea.

The Toronto Globe and Mail’s Bruce Dowbiggin says CBC’s Ron MacLean went after Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke over his embattled coach.

Sean Leahy at Yahoo’s Puck Daddy isn’t thrilled over NBC’s new NHL Winter Classic promo.

Barry Rothbard at SportsGrid notes that ESPN’s Erin Andrews broke the story of the Case of the Stolen Lee Corso Mascot Head.

UPDATE, 4:09 p.m.: Erin Andrews has tweeted that the Lee Corso head has been found. 

David Krough of KGW-TV in Portland reports that an Oregon State University employee found the head. We can sleep now.

That’s where we’ll end it.

Don Meredith, 1938-2010

Just breaking this morning, we’re learning of the passing of former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith. While Meredith had a very good playing career with the Cowboys, he got national notoriety for being the first analyst on ABC’s Monday Night Football starting in 1970 with Keith Jackson and Howard Cosell. The broadcast really took off in 1971 when Frank Gifford joined from CBS and became the play-by-play announcer. Meredith and Cosell played off one another, Cosell as the erudite, New York commentator, Meredith as the fun loving everyman who would downplay Howard’s attempts at seriousness.

Gifford, Cosell and Meredith were the traveling sideshow for Monday Night Football and the ratings for ABC were so good that movie theaters and restaurants would close at 9 p.m. when the broadcast started. Viewers also knew the game was out of reach when Don would sing, “Turn out the lights, the party’s over.”

There was a time when “Dandy Don” as Cosell nicknamed him, left ABC for NBC, joining Curt Gowdy and Al Derogatis as part time analyst in 1974, then full-time from 1975-1976, calling Super Bowl XI. Meredith had joined NBC in hopes of starting an acting career and had a part-time role on “Police Story” and various movies, but for the 1976-77 season, he triumphantly returned to ABC and the Monday Night Football booth.

He remained with MNF through the 1984 season, retiring one year after Howard Cosell left the booth. Along with Gifford and Joe Theisman, Meredith was on the call for ABC’s first Super Bowl, SB XIX in Palo Alto, CA.

After his retirement, Meredith rarely made public appearances, hardly gave interviews and chose to live in New Mexico with his wife of 38 years.

There’s no measuring the impact that Meredith had on Monday Night Football. Meredith had the personality to play off Cosell and fans identified with him. In addition, his ability to analyze the game and break down the quarterback position puts him as one of the best color men in NFL TV history.

In 2002, Pat Summerall asked Don to be his partner on Fox after John Madden left the network for ABC/ESPN, but Meredith turned him down stating that he had not watched enough present-day games to be knowledgeable on the NFL.

Tonight, ESPN will acknowledge the passing of Meredith and his influence on Monday Night Football.

Susan Montoya Bryan of the Associated Press has this story on Meredith’s passing. 

Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News looks back at Meredith’s two careers, as a Cowboys quarterback and as a broadcaster.

The Morning News also shares some pictures of Meredith as a player and as a broadcaster. 

ESPN Dallas has some highlights of Meredith’s life.

T. Rees Shapiro of the Washington Post has written an obituary for Meredith.

Mike Florio at Pro Football Talk shares his thoughts on Meredith’s death.

Here’s the opening to Monday Night Football featuring Cosell, Gifford and Meredith.

This open is from 1979 before the game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Oilers.

Jay Harris of ESPN has this report on Meredith’s passing.

We also have some pictures of the Monday Night Football crew. I thank ESPN’s public relations department for making these available.

First, this is from 1970, with Keith Jackson, Cosell and Meredith.

Next, we have Cosell and Meredith posing for this publicity photo.

Here’s a photo from 1971 with Frank Gifford joining Cosell and Meredith.

Here’s a picture of the three from 1977 before the Cleveland Browns-New England Patrios game.

And finally, there’s this publicity photo before the 1980 season.

We’ll end it there. I’ll pass more stories on Meredith as they become available.