Howard Cosell

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Howard Cosell – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Howard Cosell (1918–1995) was an American lawyer-turned-sportscaster, journalist, broadcaster, and author. Discover his life’s journey from law to the broadcast booth, his influence on sports media, and his memorable lines.

Introduction

Howard Cosell (born Howard William Cohen; March 25, 1918 – April 23, 1995) was an iconic and polarizing figure in American sports broadcasting. While he initially trained and worked as a lawyer, it was his bold, opinionated commentary in radio and television that earned him national fame. Cosell helped reshape how sports were presented, injecting analysis, social observation, and unfiltered commentary into what had previously been a more deferential medium. His sharp personality, close relationship with Muhammad Ali, and penchant for “telling it like it is” secured him a place in broadcasting history—both celebrated and controversial.

Early Life and Family

Howard was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the son of Isidore Cohen (an accountant) and Nellie (née Rosenthal) Cohen, in a Jewish family. Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up among immigrant and working‐class surroundings.

His grandfather had originally borne the surname “Cosell,” and at law school Howard later adopted this version (from Cohen) to honor family roots.

Raised in a home that valued education, he displayed intellectual curiosity from an early age. His early years in Brooklyn exposed him to the ferment of New York life, Jewish cultural identity, and a world of social dynamics that would color his later commentary.

Youth, Education & Legal Career

Howard attended New York University and then NYU School of Law, completing his legal studies (earning his law degree) and being admitted to the New York bar in about 1940–1941.

When World War II broke out, he joined the U.S. Army Transportation Corps (1942–1945), achieving the rank of Major. Manhattan, representing clients that included actors and athletes, and also serving as legal counsel for Little League Baseball in New York.

That legal role gave Cosell both credibility and contact with sports and entertainment figures—contacts that later facilitated his transition to media. As an attorney, he was known for being meticulous and forthright; he sometimes took on contracts, negotiations, and rights issues involving athletes.

However, by the early 1950s, Cosell began spending part of his time doing radio commentary—initially as a side endeavor—and eventually turned fully to broadcasting, abandoning his law practice.

Broadcasting & Journalism Career

Early Broadcasting & Rise

Cosell’s broadcasting journey began when ABC (or its affiliates) asked him to host a show around Little League participants; he agreed to do so even without pay, believing in the potential of the platform.

As he became more visible, he shifted entirely into broadcasting by around 1956.

Two major arenas defined his public profile:

• Boxing / Muhammad Ali coverage

• Monday Night Football

He was among the first broadcasters to treat sports not just as entertainment but as part of larger social, political, and ethical conversations.

Association with Muhammad Ali & Social Commentary

Cosell’s coverage of Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) was groundbreaking. He was among the first to use Ali’s chosen Muslim name—and defend him publicly during controversy (e.g. Ali’s refusal to be drafted during the Vietnam War).

He paired with Ali in dynamic, sometimes combative exchanges, but also demonstrated respect and intellectual engagement. Cosell’s willingness to confront racial and political issues—such as the protest by John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 1968 Olympics—distinguished him from more neutral or promotional sportscasters.

He also criticized boxing when he felt it became excessively brutal or exploitative. For instance, after a 1982 bout where one fighter was clearly overwhelmed, Cosell questioned whether continuing the fight risked compromising the sport itself. His moral stance resonated and sparked debate.

Monday Night Football & Television Influence

In 1970, Cosell became a central voice on Monday Night Football (MNF) on ABC, joining sportscasters such as Frank Gifford and Don Meredith. His presence brought an intellectual edge to America’s biggest televised football program.

Cosell was often outspoken about how ex-athletes were sometimes given commentary roles merely due to playing experience. He coined or popularized the term “jockocracy” to criticize such practices.

He and his co-hosts frequently clashed in style: Meredith had a folksier, relaxed style; Gifford more balanced; Cosell was aggressive, analytical, and eager to challenge. That tension contributed to MNF’s popularity and cultural impact.

Later Work, Books & Controversies

In 1985, Cosell published his memoir I Never Played the Game, in which he criticized his broadcasting peers and networks. The book’s tone led to tensions with ABC, and he was removed from certain assignments thereafter.

He also anchored ABC SportsBeat, a magazine‐style show dealing with the business of sports, corruption, drug use, and ethics — not merely announcing games.

Throughout his career, Cosell appeared in occasional films or TV roles (often as himself) and guest-hosted general talk shows.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Mid 1950s – Transition from legal practice to broadcasting

• 1960s–1970s – Rise as a national voice in boxing, aligning with Ali

• 1970 – Entry into Monday Night Football, bringing sports to a broader prime-time audience

• 1968 – Vocal support of Black Power salute athletes (John Carlos, Tommie Smith) during the Mexico City Olympics

• 1982 – Public condemnation of dangerous boxing matches and announcement of withdrawal from professional fight commentary

• 1985 – Publication of I Never Played the Game and departure from top-tier broadcasting roles

• 1990s – Health decline, selective public appearances

Cosell’s era marked a shift in sports media—from starry-eyed praise to critical, socially and politically conscious coverage. He was a voice in a changing America where race, war, athlete rights, and media convergence collided.

Legacy and Influence

Howard Cosell’s influence is multi-layered:

1. Evolution of sports journalism: He helped transform sportscasting from pure play-by-play or color commentary to a hybrid of journalism, analysis, social context, and outspoken opinion.

2. Cultural voice: His willingness to engage controversial subjects (racism, war, athlete exploitation) made him a lightning rod and a pioneer of risk-taking in media.

3. Broadcasting persona archetype: The argumentative, flamboyant commentator style many emulate today owes much to Cosell’s template.

4. Historical memory: He remains an iconic figure in cultural portrayals—books, films, retrospectives of sports history and television.

5. Intersection of law, sports, and media: His start in law gives him a unique place among sportscasters; he understood contract, rights, and the legal side of athlete representation, giving him insider insight others lacked.

Though polarizing, Cosell’s imprint on American sports media is undeniable. Many later commentators borrowed his blend of commentary and challenge, even if they toned down his bravura.

Personality & Talents

Cosell was known for his blustery, assertive persona, marked by precise diction, a distinctive cadence, and a gift for memorable lines. He once quipped:

“I’ve been called arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff. And, of course, I am.”

He was occasionally mocked as “Humble Howard” ironically by critics.

He combined intellectualism with showmanship: he was comfortable quoting literature, law, and ethics on live broadcasts—while also delivering punchy, emotionally charged commentary. He wielded his legal background to frame issues of fairness, rights, and media integrity.

He was both admired and loathed: some saw him as a champion of moral clarity in sports, others as abrasive or self-promoting. His contradictions—eloquent yet combative, critical yet celebrity—are part of what makes his persona enduring.

Famous Quotes of Howard Cosell

Here are some notable quotes attributed to him:

• “I’m just telling it like it is.” — His signature line, capturing his self-image as blunt truth-teller.

• “He could … go all … the way!” — A phrase associated with a sudden emotional shift in commentary during a football play.

• “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” — Often cited as an example of intellectual humility (though attribution is debated).

• “Words are a powerful wand.” — Reflecting his view of language’s weight (used in some compilations of his writings).

• “If nothing else, let me be known for having the courage of my convictions.” — A reflection of how he staked his public persona on principle (often quoted in biographical sketches).

These quotes hint at his convictions about integrity, language, and the role of speaker in shaping perception.

Lessons from Howard Cosell

1. Courage to break molds. He left a stable legal career to enter an uncertain and nascent medium—and reshaped it.

2. Voice matters. In media fields, clarity, boldness, and distinct style can carry influence (for better or worse).

3. Interrogate power, even in entertainment. He showed that sports coverage need not be superficial—it can address justice, equity, and cultural issues.

4. Legal thinking adds depth. His background in law gave him tools to analyze contracts, fairness, rights, and media ethics more astutely than a solely athletic commentator might.

5. Accept paradoxes. Cosell was both thoughtful and theatrical, loved and loathed; his life is a reminder that strong figures often hold contradictions.

Conclusion

Howard Cosell’s trajectory—from Brooklyn lawyer to one of America’s most distinctive sports voices—is a story of risk, reinvention, and influence. He challenged conventions, made sports coverage a site for cultural commentary, and left a lasting imprint on how we talk about athletic competition. Though his style polarized audiences, his presence forced media and viewers to confront sports as more than games—they were battlegrounds for identity, ethics, and voice.