Forty-two years ago, the idea of playing a NFL game in prime time was thought of as crazy. CBS and NBC passed, creating an opening for ABC.

Here’s the promo for the new series, heralding the “newly combined NFL and AFL National Football League.”

Here’s Howard Cosell interviewing Johnny Unitas prior to a Baltimore-Minnesota game in 1971. Check out Unitas’ expression during Cosell’s introduction.

And here’s Howard with his signature halftime highlights from week 11 in 1971.