Wordsmith extraordinaire! I've read his books, and his command of the language and debating skills were just unbelievable. Though he lost his love for the sport, he was one of the greatest boxing announcers. And his career timing was perfect, with the Golden Age of Heavyweights, the AFL-NFL merger, player union development, and the early years of Monday Night Football. His interviews with Ali were classic!
And in this era, not a single reporter knows how to ask questions or has the guts to ask questions. They might well be PR flaks for the teams they cover. Who the FK taught them to ask a question by stating, "talk about that" If you want them to talk about something then ask a question that will solicit that response. Just goes to show that if you are attractive, have two boobs and a hole , then you got a shot at being hire. Brains not necessary.
I once did an interview with Cosell for a radio station I was working for back in the late 1970s. Howard was quite a character but after getting to know him slightly on I saw him a few more times over the years when I was covering Monday Night games here in the bay area. He was always very cordial and would ask me: "Young man, how is that budding broadcasting career of yours going?" Quite a character!
When he arrived at Candlestick to call the MLB All-Star game in '84, he got out of his car and the wind blew the toupee right off his head! It was reported that he immediately offered a lengthy diatribe about The City, George Christopher, the developers, and the stadium itself!
Wordsmith extraordinaire! I've read his books, and his command of the language and debating skills were just unbelievable. Though he lost his love for the sport, he was one of the greatest boxing announcers. And his career timing was perfect, with the Golden Age of Heavyweights, the AFL-NFL merger, player union development, and the early years of Monday Night Football. His interviews with Ali were classic!
ReplyDeleteAnd in this era, not a single reporter knows how to ask questions or has the guts to ask questions. They might well be PR flaks for the teams they cover. Who the FK taught them to ask a question by stating, "talk about that" If you want them to talk about something then ask a question that will solicit that response. Just goes to show that if you are attractive, have two boobs and a hole , then you got a shot at being hire. Brains not necessary.
ReplyDeleteI once did an interview with Cosell for a radio station I was working for back in the late 1970s. Howard was quite a character but after getting to know him slightly on I saw him a few more times over the years when I was covering Monday Night games here in the bay area. He was always very cordial and would ask me: "Young man, how is that budding broadcasting career of yours going?" Quite a character!
ReplyDeleteAlso don't forget that America learned that John Lennon had died from listening to Howard on Monday Night Football!
ReplyDeleteMr. Monday Night Football.
ReplyDeleteThe toupee from hell.
ReplyDeleteCosell toupee story:
DeleteWhen he arrived at Candlestick to call the MLB All-Star game in '84, he got out of his car and the wind blew the toupee right off his head! It was reported that he immediately offered a lengthy diatribe about The City, George Christopher, the developers, and the stadium itself!
I agreed with previous poster that Howard Cosell is Mr. Monday Night Football.
ReplyDelete