The future prime-time television institution "Monday Night Football," now marking its 50th season, was only in its third week on ABC when the Bears made their first appearance.
Dick Gordon caught a pair of touchdown passes from Jack Concannon in a 28-14 loss to the Lions at Tiger Stadium.
The Bears' second appearance, a 1971 road loss to the Dolphins, is notable only because ABC used it to promote the TV movie it aired the next night. The film was a tearjerker called "Brian's Song."
If the Bears hadn't gone 1-8 in their first nine "MNF" appearances, maybe they would be .500 or better on this particular showcase.
Instead, they head into Monday's matchup with against the Redskins on ESPN with a 31-38 record on "MNF."
Some of those telecasts are best forgotten _ and largely have been. Others will long be committed to memory.
Like the Bears making their season debut in the newly remodeled Soldier Field in a 2003 prime-time loss to Brett Favre and the Packers.
Or Doug Plank leveling Buccaneers receiver Jimmie Giles in a 1980 shutout victory.
Or Jay Cutler leading a late 2009 overtime victory against the visiting Vikings.
Here are the Bears' 10 most memorable "Monday Night Football" appearances:
