<P> When Cosell left prior to the start of the 1984 season, the trio of Gifford, Meredith and Simpson handled the duties . Cosell's departure seemed to have the greatest effect on Meredith, who many believed to be a poor analyst in his absence . Falling ratings also gave indications that much of the mystique that surrounded the weekly event had disappeared . </P> <P> After the 1984 season, ABC replaced Meredith with Joe Namath the following year, with the quarterback making his debut in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game . In a coincidental twist, both Namath and Simpson were busy prior to the telecast with their induction into the shrine . </P> <P> One of the more grisly moments in Monday Night Football history occurred during a game between the Washington Redskins and New York Giants on November 18, 1985, at RFK Stadium . Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann's career would end when Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor reached from behind to drag him down and Taylor fell heavily on the quarterback's leg in the process . On the play, which viewers could see in a gruesome slow - motion replay, Theismann suffered a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in his lower right leg . The injury ended the playing career of Theismann, who had teamed with Gifford and Meredith on ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XIX in January 1985 . </P> <P> Two weeks after that painful memory, the program's most watched contest took place as the previously unbeaten Chicago Bears were defeated by the Miami Dolphins, which had not lost to a National Football Conference (NFC) team at home since 1976 . That would turn out to be Chicago's only loss in 1985 . The game broadcast earned a Nielsen rating of 29.6 with a 46 share . </P>

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