Howard Cosell

Howard William Cosell (; né Cohen; March 25, 1918 – April 23, 1995) was an American sports journalist, broadcaster, and author. He became prominent and influential during his tenure with ABC Sports from 1953 to 1985. Cosell was widely known for his blustery and confident personality. He 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. 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. He also brought an antagonistic, almost heel-like commentary, notably criticism of Terry Bradshaw suggesting that he did not have the intelligence to win in the league. In 1993, TV Guide named Cosell the all-time best sportscaster.