The Legendary Howard Cosell: A Sports Broadcasting Titan

Who was Howard Cosell?

Howard Cosell was an American sportscaster, journalist, and author. He was best known for his work on ABC's Monday Night Football, where he was a commentator from 1970 to 1983. Cosell was a controversial figure, but he was also one of the most influential sportscasters of all time.

Cosell was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, in 1921. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and after the war he began his career in broadcasting. He worked for several radio and television stations before joining ABC in 1964.

Cosell was a pioneer in sports broadcasting. He was one of the first commentators to use a conversational style, and he was not afraid to express his opinions. He was also one of the first commentators to cover sports from a social and political perspective.

Cosell's work on Monday Night Football helped to make the show a national phenomenon. He was a master of the "gee whiz" call, and he was known for his over-the-top enthusiasm. Cosell was also a controversial figure. He was often criticized for his outspokenness, and he was accused of being biased against certain teams and players.

Despite the controversy, Cosell was one of the most influential sportscasters of all time. He helped to change the way that sports were covered on television, and he inspired a generation of sportscasters.

Cosell died in New York City in 1995. He was 73 years old.

Howard Cosell

Howard Cosell was a groundbreaking sportscaster who left an indelible mark on the industry. His unique style and controversial opinions made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in sports broadcasting.

• Commentator
• Journalist
• Author
• Pioneer
• Controversial
• Influential

Cosell's work on ABC's Monday Night Football helped to make the show a national phenomenon. He was known for his over-the-top enthusiasm and his willingness to express his opinions, even if they were unpopular. Cosell was also a pioneer in sports journalism, and he helped to change the way that sports were covered on television.

Cosell was a complex and contradictory figure. He was brilliant and insightful, but he was also arrogant and abrasive. He was a master of self-promotion, and he was never afraid to speak his mind. Cosell's legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most important figures in the history of sports broadcasting.

1. Commentator

Howard Cosell was a groundbreaking sports commentator who left an indelible mark on the industry. His unique style and controversial opinions made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in sports broadcasting.

Cosell's work on ABC's Monday Night Football helped to make the show a national phenomenon. He was known for his over-the-top enthusiasm and his willingness to express his opinions, even if they were unpopular. Cosell was also a pioneer in sports journalism, and he helped to change the way that sports were covered on television.

Cosell's success as a commentator was due in part to his unique style. He was not afraid to be himself, and he always spoke his mind. Cosell was also a master of the "gee whiz" call, and he was known for his over-the-top enthusiasm. This style made him a polarizing figure, but it also made him one of the most popular commentators in sports history.

Cosell's work as a commentator had a profound impact on the sports broadcasting industry. He helped to make sports broadcasting more exciting and more informative. Cosell also helped to change the way that sports were covered on television. He was one of the first commentators to cover sports from a social and political perspective.

Cosell's legacy as a commentator is still debated today. Some critics argue that he was too biased and too opinionated. However, there is no doubt that Cosell was one of the most important figures in the history of sports broadcasting. He helped to make sports broadcasting more exciting and more informative, and he helped to change the way that sports were covered on television.

2. Journalist

Howard Cosell was not only a groundbreaking sports commentator, but also a distinguished journalist. His work as a journalist helped to shape the way that sports were covered in the media.

• Investigative Reporting
  

  Cosell was a pioneer in investigative sports journalism. He was one of the first journalists to expose corruption and wrongdoing in the sports world. His work helped to clean up the sports industry and to protect athletes from exploitation.

• Commentary
  

  In addition to his investigative reporting, Cosell was also a gifted commentator. He was able to provide insightful and thought-provoking commentary on a wide range of sports topics. His commentary helped to educate and inform the public about the world of sports.

• Author
  

  Cosell was also a prolific author. He wrote several books on sports, including his autobiography, "I Never Played the Game." His books provided a unique perspective on the sports world and helped to shape the public's understanding of the industry.

• Activism
  

  Cosell was also a vocal activist for social justice. He used his platform to speak out against racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. His activism helped to raise awareness of these issues and to promote change.

Cosell's work as a journalist had a profound impact on the sports world. He helped to clean up the industry, to educate the public, and to promote social justice. His legacy as a journalist is still felt today.

3. Author

Howard Cosell was not only a groundbreaking sportscaster and journalist, but also a prolific author. He wrote several books on sports, including his autobiography, "I Never Played the Game." His books provided a unique perspective on the sports world and helped to shape the public's understanding of the industry.

• "I Never Played the Game"
  

  Cosell's autobiography is a fascinating and revealing look at his life and career. In the book, Cosell discusses his childhood, his experiences in the military, and his rise to fame as a sportscaster. He also offers his thoughts on a wide range of sports topics, including the role of race and gender in sports.

• "The Games That Changed the World"
  

  In this book, Cosell takes a look at some of the most important sports events in history. He discusses the impact of these events on society and culture, and he offers his insights into the athletes and teams involved.

• "Howard Cosell: My Life in Broadcasting"
  

  This book is a collection of Cosell's essays on sports broadcasting. In the book, Cosell discusses the history of sports broadcasting, the role of the sportscaster, and the future of the industry.

• "The Cosell Chronicles"
  

  This book is a collection of Cosell's columns from the New York Daily News. In the book, Cosell offers his thoughts on a wide range of sports topics, including the NFL, the Olympics, and boxing.

Cosell's books provide a valuable insight into the world of sports and sports broadcasting. His writing is insightful, thought-provoking, and often controversial. Cosell was not afraid to speak his mind, and his books are full of his trademark wit and wisdom.

4. Pioneer

Howard Cosell was a pioneer in the field of sports broadcasting. He was one of the first commentators to use a conversational style, and he was not afraid to express his opinions, even if they were unpopular. He was also one of the first commentators to cover sports from a social and political perspective.

• Breaking Barriers
  

  Cosell broke down racial barriers in sports broadcasting. He was the first commentator to hire an African-American sportscaster, and he was also the first to cover a major sporting event with an African-American athlete.

• New Style of Commentary
  

  Cosell's style of commentary was groundbreaking. He was not afraid to be himself, and he always spoke his mind. He was also one of the first commentators to use a conversational style, which made his broadcasts more accessible to viewers.

• Social and Political Commentary
  

  Cosell was one of the first commentators to cover sports from a social and political perspective. He was not afraid to speak out against racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. His commentary helped to raise awareness of these issues and to promote change.

• Influence on Future Commentators
  

  Cosell's work had a profound impact on future sports commentators. He helped to change the way that sports were covered on television, and he inspired a generation of commentators to be more outspoken and to cover sports from a more diverse perspective.

Cosell's legacy as a pioneer in sports broadcasting is still felt today. He helped to break down racial barriers, to change the way that sports were covered on television, and to inspire a generation of commentators.

5. Controversial

Howard Cosell was one of the most controversial figures in sports broadcasting history. His outspokenness and willingness to express his opinions, even if they were unpopular, made him a polarizing figure. Some people admired Cosell for his honesty and integrity, while others criticized him for being too abrasive and opinionated.

Cosell's controversial nature was evident throughout his career. He was fired from ABC in 1975 after he made critical remarks about Monday Night Football commentator Don Meredith. Cosell was also criticized for his coverage of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," in which he questioned the patriotism of the Soviet hockey team. Despite the controversy, Cosell remained one of the most popular sportscasters in the United States. His unique style and willingness to speak his mind made him a must-see for many sports fans.

Cosell's legacy is still debated today. Some critics argue that he was too biased and too opinionated. However, there is no doubt that Cosell was one of the most important figures in the history of sports broadcasting. He helped to change the way that sports were covered on television, and he inspired a generation of commentators to be more outspoken and to cover sports from a more diverse perspective.

6. Influential

Howard Cosell was one of the most influential figures in the history of sports broadcasting. His unique style and willingness to speak his mind made him a polarizing figure, but there is no doubt that he had a profound impact on the way that sports were covered on television.

• Breaking Barriers
  

  Cosell broke down racial barriers in sports broadcasting. He was the first commentator to hire an African-American sportscaster, and he was also the first to cover a major sporting event with an African-American athlete.

• New Style of Commentary
  

  Cosell's style of commentary was groundbreaking. He was not afraid to be himself, and he always spoke his mind. He was also one of the first commentators to use a conversational style, which made his broadcasts more accessible to viewers.

• Social and Political Commentary
  

  Cosell was one of the first commentators to cover sports from a social and political perspective. He was not afraid to speak out against racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination. His commentary helped to raise awareness of these issues and to promote change.

• Influence on Future Commentators
  

  Cosell's work had a profound impact on future sports commentators. He helped to change the way that sports were covered on television, and he inspired a generation of commentators to be more outspoken and to cover sports from a more diverse perspective.

Cosell's influence can still be seen in sports broadcasting today. His work helped to make sports broadcasting more exciting and more informative, and he helped to change the way that sports were covered on television.

FAQs about Howard Cosell

Howard Cosell was a groundbreaking sportscaster, journalist, and author. He was known for his unique style and controversial opinions, which made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in sports broadcasting.

Question 1: What was Howard Cosell's broadcasting style like?

Cosell's broadcasting style was unique and groundbreaking. He was not afraid to be himself and to express his opinions, even if they were unpopular. He was also one of the first commentators to use a conversational style, which made his broadcasts more accessible to viewers.

Question 2: What was Howard Cosell's role in breaking down racial barriers in sports broadcasting?

Cosell was a pioneer in breaking down racial barriers in sports broadcasting. He was the first commentator to hire an African-American sportscaster, and he was also the first to cover a major sporting event with an African-American athlete.

Question 3: What was Howard Cosell's legacy?

Cosell's legacy is still debated today. Some critics argue that he was too biased and too opinionated. However, there is no doubt that Cosell was one of the most important figures in the history of sports broadcasting. He helped to change the way that sports were covered on television, and he inspired a generation of commentators to be more outspoken and to cover sports from a more diverse perspective.

Question 5: Is Howard Cosell considered to be one of the most influential figures in sports broadcasting?

Yes, Cosell is widely considered to be one of the most influential figures in the history of sports broadcasting. His unique style and willingness to speak his mind made him a polarizing figure, but there is no doubt that he had a profound impact on the way that sports were covered on television.

Summary: Howard Cosell was a groundbreaking sportscaster who left an indelible mark on the industry. His unique style and controversial opinions made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in sports broadcasting. He helped to break down racial barriers, to change the way that sports were covered on television, and to inspire a generation of commentators.

Transition: To learn more about Howard Cosell's life and career, please continue reading the article.

Conclusion

Howard Cosell was a groundbreaking sportscaster, journalist, and author who left an indelible mark on the industry. His unique style and controversial opinions made him one of the most recognizable and influential figures in sports broadcasting.

Cosell's work helped to break down racial barriers, to change the way that sports were covered on television, and to inspire a generation of commentators. His legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most important figures in the history of sports broadcasting.