This past Sunday marked 44 years since the tragic death of John Lennon on December 8th, 1980. The shocking news was first announced to the world by Howard Cosell during ABC's Monday Night Football broadcast. It was a moment that left millions in disbelief, as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century was suddenly gone.
Interestingly, six years prior, on December 9th, 1974, Lennon had a memorable encounter with Cosell in the broadcast booth during halftime of the Washington vs. Los Angeles Rams game at the Los Angeles Coliseum. Lennon, known for his wit and charm, remarked that the NFL "makes rock concerts look like tea parties." His presence in the booth was a delightful surprise for fans, blending the worlds of music and sports in a unique way.
During this visit, when asked about the possibility of a Beatles reunion, Lennon playfully responded, "You never know… I mean, it's always in the wind." He also took the opportunity to promote his own album, Walls and Bridges, and Ringo Starr's Goodnight Vienna, while notably omitting any mention of George Harrison's Dark Horse, which had just been released that day.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]