ABC Sports Through the Years

SI Staff | Aug 10, 2006

ABC Sports Through the Years

Tony Triolo/SI

Howard Cosell was simultaneously the most renowned and controversial voice in sports. He was unafraid of saying anything, its seemed, a trait which both endeared and alienated him from others.

AP

Howard Cosell was also known for his interviews of Muhammad Ali, who plays with the broadcaster's well-coiffed mane here in 1972.

AP

In 1968, 200-meter dash gold medal-winner Tommie Smith and teammate John Carlos raised their hands in a black power salute, casting this indelible image.

Courtesy of ABC

Before the start of the Summer Olympics in 1972, sportscasters Jim McKay and Chris Schenkel posed in Munich's Olympic Stadium. Of course, six days before the closing ceremonies, eight Palestinian guerillas would kill two Israeli athletes and seize nine hostages. All nine would be slain, and McKay and Peter Jennings reported the unfolding drama. It was there that McKay would utter the famous words, "They're all gone."

Courtesy of ABC

On the heels of the Olympic tragedy in Munich, Roone Arledge and Jim McKay pose with the Emmy's won by ABC Sports for their historic coverage.

Courtesy of ABC

In the Wild World of Sports' "agony of defeat" video clip, skier Vinko Bogataj is featured in the International Flying Competition.

Courtesy of ABC

The legendary Howard Cosell was the face of Monday Night Football, joining Don Meredith (left) and Frank Gifford (right). He passed away in 1995.

Jerry Cooke/SI

At the Preakness Stakes in 1973, jockey Ron Turcotte rode Secretariat as the legendary horse raced towards the Triple Crown.

Adam Hunger-US Presswire

Hall of Famer John Madden became a staple of MNF. Here, he is on the field for Patriots-Giants at Foxborough in 2005 -- the last MNF game on ABC.

Mickey Pfleger/SI

The infamous O.J. Simpson formed one part of an imposing MNF trio, joining Joe Namath (left) and Frank Gifford.

AP

In 1974, Evil Knievel failed to clear the 3/4-mile leap across Idaho's Snake River Canyon. His reputation as a daredevil and master of promotion, however, would remain untarnished.

Courtesy of Craig Sjodin/ABC

In 2000, ABC trotted out a new Monday Night Football team, starring Al Michaels (center), Dan Fouts, and, of course, comedian Dennis Miller in the booth. Eric Dickerson and Melissa Stark reported from the sidelines.

Courtesy of Craig Sjodin/ABC

Eric Dickerson was a familiar face on the field, but in a different capacity for ABC. The Hall of Fame back reported from the sidelines for Monday Night Football.

Courtesy of Ida Mae Astute/ABC

Melissa Stark joined Dickerson on MNF's sideline team. Here, she interviews Al Leiter during a Jets-Dolphins game at the Meadowlands.

Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Lake Placid, NY served as the stage for 1980's Miracle on Ice, when the United States defeated the heavily favored Soviets in the midst of the Cold War. In the finals, America would down Finland to capture the gold.

George Tiedemann/SI

In 1987, a seemingly over-the-hill Al Unser Sr. won the Indy 500, becoming not only the oldest Indy winner in history (breaking his brother Bobby's record) but the winningest Indy driver ever.