I think Bob Costas is terrific. He's so knowledgeable. He can

In the words of Jim McKay, “I think Bob Costas is terrific. He’s so knowledgeable. He can talk about any subject, not just sports.” At first, this seems like a simple compliment from one legendary broadcaster to another. Yet within these words is a lesson for the ages: that true mastery is not found in narrow skill alone, but in the breadth of knowledge, in the ability to move gracefully between the fields of life, weaving wisdom from many realms into one. McKay, who himself brought the world together through his coverage of the Olympics, recognized in Costas the rare quality of versatility, the power to speak with authority across subjects, and thus to unite audiences through both clarity and depth.

The meaning of this saying rests upon the virtue of knowledge. To speak only of one thing is to walk a narrow path, but to speak with understanding on many things is to walk the world entire. McKay points out that Costas is not limited to the world of sports, though sports was his stage; he is a man who can carry a conversation across culture, history, politics, and art. This breadth reflects the ancient ideal of the well-rounded individual—the man or woman whose mind is trained not only for a single contest, but for the vastness of human experience.

The ancients praised such versatility. In Greece, the ideal citizen was not only a warrior, but also a thinker, a speaker, and a lover of the arts. Pericles, for example, could lead armies, yet also inspire the Athenians with eloquent words about democracy and the duty of citizenship. Similarly, Cicero in Rome was more than a lawyer or statesman; he was a philosopher who sought to bring wisdom into public life. McKay’s words about Costas echo this same tradition: that the most terrific individuals are those who bridge worlds, who elevate the conversation from the narrow to the universal.

Consider also the life of Leonardo da Vinci. Though remembered as a painter, he was at once an engineer, an inventor, a scientist, and a dreamer of flight. His genius lay not in a single pursuit but in his ability to cross the boundaries of knowledge and to see connections where others saw only divisions. In a similar way, Costas stands as a modern figure whose command of sports is matched by his ability to tie them to broader human themes—identity, struggle, triumph, and history. This is why McKay’s praise is so meaningful: he recognizes in him the rare spirit of universality.

The emotional force of McKay’s statement is magnified by the speaker himself. Jim McKay was the voice who guided the world through the joys of athletic triumph and the sorrows of tragedy, most notably during the Munich Olympics of 1972. He understood, perhaps more than anyone, that the commentator is not merely a teller of scores, but a bearer of truth, a guide through the great stories of human endeavor. Thus, when McKay declares Costas “terrific,” he speaks as a master affirming another master, recognizing the importance of knowledge that transcends the game itself.

The wisdom here extends beyond broadcasting. It is a reminder to all that life should not be lived in one narrow lane. To be alive fully is to learn from many disciplines, to be curious about all things, and to cultivate the power to speak—and to listen—across subjects. In doing so, we not only enrich ourselves but also become bridges for others, connecting worlds that might otherwise remain apart. This is what McKay admired in Costas: the ability to turn conversation into connection, and knowledge into unity.

So, O listener, take this lesson into your heart: seek knowledge beyond your own trade, your own familiar ground. Do not be content to master one corner of the world, but strive to see the whole horizon. Read widely, listen deeply, and speak thoughtfully. Be as Bob Costas was praised to be—not only skilled in your field, but able to illuminate all fields with curiosity and wisdom.

For in the end, the greatness of a person is not measured only by their craft, but by their breadth of understanding, their ability to honor the many facets of human life. To be truly terrific, as McKay teaches through his words about Costas, is to rise above narrowness and to embrace the fullness of knowledge. Let this be your path: not only to master your art, but to become a student of the world.