Today is the 30th Anniversary of the shocking death of John Lennon. For those of us alive back then, it’s a moment we’ll never forget. I found out the following morning on the radio. But for millions of Americans watching the New England Patriots taking on the Miami Dolphins on ABC, it was Howard Cosell who broke the news. On Sunday, ESPN’s Outside the Lines explored how the news got to ABC Sports through an ABC News producer who just happened to be at the same hospital where Lennon was transported for treatment from his gunshots.
The most fascinating part was hearing an off-air conversation between Cosell and play-by-play man Frank Gifford on whether they should break the news during the game. Tom Rinaldi has the story.
Great story and one that wasn’t unveiled until now.
