Don Hewitt
American television news producer (1922-2009)
Howard Cosell was a legendary American sports journalist and broadcaster who became known for his brash, confident personality and critical commentary. He revolutionized sports coverage in the mid-20th century, offering a counterpoint to the typical adulation-based style of the time.
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About the Howard Cosell
Howard William Cosellwas an American sports journalist, broadcaster and author. Cosell became prominent and influential during his tenure with ABC Sports from 1953 until 1985.
Cosell was widely known for his blustery, confident personality. Cosell said of himself, “I’ve been called arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff. And, of course, I am.”
Cosell was sardonically nicknamed “Humble Howard” by fans and media critics. In its obituary for Cosell, The New York Times described Cosell’s effect on American sports coverage:
He entered sports broadcasting in the mid-1950s, when the predominant style was unabashed adulation, [and] offered a brassy counterpoint that was first ridiculed, then copied until it became the dominant note of sports broadcasting.
He also brought an antagonistic, almost heel-like commentary, notably his giving criticism of Terry Bradshaw by suggesting that he did not have the intelligence to win in the league.
In 1993, TV Guide named Howard Cosell The All-Time Best Sportscaster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Howard Cosell was an American sports journalist, broadcaster, and author who became prominent and influential during his tenure with ABC Sports from 1953 until 1985.
Howard Cosell was widely known for his blustery, confident personality and his brassy, antagonistic commentary style in sports broadcasting, which he described as being ‘called arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff.’
Howard Cosell entered sports broadcasting in the mid-1950s, when the predominant style was unabashed adulation, and he offered a brassy counterpoint that was first ridiculed, then copied until it became the dominant note of sports broadcasting.
Howard Cosell brought an antagonistic, almost heel-like commentary, notably his giving criticism of Terry Bradshaw by suggesting that he did not have the intelligence to win in the league.
In 1993, TV Guide named Howard Cosell The All-Time Best Sportscaster.
Howard Cosell was sardonically nicknamed ‘Humble Howard’ by fans and media critics.
Howard Cosell became prominent and influential during his tenure with ABC Sports from 1953 until 1985.
10 Quotes by Howard Cosell
- 1.
Ladies and Gentleman, the Bronx is burning.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 2.
Mommy, why does daddy cuss the TV and call it Howard?
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 3.
Sports is the toy department of human life.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 4.
The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 5.
I was right to back Muhammad Ali, but it caused me major enmity in many areas of this nation.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 6.
After all, is football a game or a religion?
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 7.
Sports is human life in microcosm.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 8.
What’s right isn’t always popular. What’s popular isn’t always right.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 9.
Then there is a still higher type of courage – the courage to brave pain, to live with it, to never let others know of it and to still find joy in life; to wake up in the morning with an enthusiasm for the day ahead.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)
- 10.
The importance that our society attaches to sport is incredible. After all, is football a game or a religion? The people of this country have allowed sports to get completely out of hand.
Howard CosellAmerican sportscaster (1918-1995)