The Cleveland Browns have played an important role in NFL history since joining the league for the 1950 season. They established themselves right away as one of its best teams with six straight championship game appearances, winning three times.
In the 1960s, they added another championship and were one victory away from playing in two of the first four Super Bowls. So, as one of its marquee franchises, the Browns were given a historic assignment.
On Sept. 21, 1970, 56 years ago today, a huge milestone happened in Cleveland, when the Browns hosted the New York Jets at Municipal Stadium in the first Monday Night Football game.
“On this date in 1970, ABC broadcast the first-ever Monday Night Football in Cleveland. Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith were on the call for the 31-21 Browns victory over the New York Jets,” ESPN Insights posted.
On this date in 1970, ABC broadcast the first-ever Monday Night Football in Cleveland 🏈
Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell, and Don Meredith were on the call for the 31-21 Browns victory over the New York Jets.
Miami has played the most games (91) on MNF, while Pittsburgh and San… pic.twitter.com/XXtZVQnpjJ
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 21, 2026
The NFL could have created a neat bit of history had it decided that the Browns’ game against the Jets this season be played on this anniversary. Instead, it is scheduled for Week 5 at New York.
Back then, the Jets were chosen in large part because they had Joe Namath at quarterback. Two seasons before, he helped New York to one of the greatest upsets in NFL history with a Super Bowl III victory against the Baltimore Colts, who had shut out the Browns to get into that game as a huge favorite.
Attendance for this game was almost 86,000 on a 75-degree Ohio night. Browns wide receiver Gary Collins caught an 8-yard pass from quarterback Bill Nelsen for the first touchdown in MNF history. Other highlights included Cleveland’s Homer Jones returning the second-half kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown, and linebacker Billy Andrews intercepting a Namath pass for a 25-yard pick-six as the Jets were attempting a fourth-quarter comeback.
Under head coach Blanton Collier, the Browns were outgained 454-221 but took full advantage of four Jets turnovers, with three interceptions thrown by Namath, with Jim Houston and Walt Sumner adding one each. Leroy Kelly was Cleveland’s leading rusher, with 62 yards on 20 carries, and Milt Morin paced the team with five receptions for 90 yards.
In their first season in the newly named American Football Conference, the Browns finished with a 7-7 record. They went on to make the playoffs the next two years.
Since their historic debut, the Browns are 17-22 on Monday Night Football, with no games scheduled for this season.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals Why Week 2's Win Could Be Huge For Browns
