Howard Cosell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Cosell in 1980 | |
| Born | Howard William Cohen March 25, 1918 |
| Died | April 23, 1995 (aged 77) New York City, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1953–1993 |
| Spouse |
Mary Edith Abrams "Emmy" Cosell
(m. 1944; died 1990) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1945 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | United States Army Transportation Corps |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
Howard William Cosell (/koʊˈsɛl/; né Cohen; March 25, 1918 – April 23, 1995) was 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.[1]
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.[3]
In 1993, TV Guide named Howard Cosell The All-Time Best Sportscaster.[4]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
obitwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "NFL Top 10 Game Voices". YouTube. Archived from the original on May 28, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
- ^ Houston, William (December 26, 2005). "Turn out the lights, the party's over - The Globe and Mail". The Globe and Mail.
- ^ TV Guide. 1993. p. 62.