TV Icon: Howard Cosell

One of the most popular sports journalist in American history, Howard Cosell was born Howard William Cohen on March 25, 1918, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His parents were Nellie and Isidore Cohen who raised him in Brooklyn, New York. Cosell’s parents wanted him to grow up and become a lawyer, so after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English from New York University he went on to get his JD from the New York University School of Law and became a member of the highly respected NYU Law Review.

After serving in World War II, Cosell started his law practice in Manhattan focusing on union law. Willie Mays along with other professional athletes and actors was part of his clients.

The legendary baseball icon Jackie Robinson became Cosell’s professional as well as personal inspiration to him in his career. Cosell made it no secret that Robinson had long been his sports hero.

Cosell’s first broadcasting stint was with ABC Radio, where he had to get his own company sponsor in order to get air time for his show “Speaking of Sports” because the station couldn’t afford to spend money on undeveloped talent.

Years later his career in sports journalism got a huge boost as Cosell became the primary broadcaster covering a brash new professional boxer by the name of Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., better known as Muhammad Ali. Despite their obvious different personalities the two became friends and feeding off each other they both became two of the most popular people in America, if not the world.

Ali, known for his brash predictions in his fights and Cosell’s very unique style of reporting worked to transform sports broadcasting from being a mere play by play commentary to more of an in-depth reporting style. Cosell’s style really brought forth the full stories behind not only the sporting event he covered but the stories behind the athletes themselves. His style of broadcasting set a new standard that all other sports commentators were expected to meet.

Ironically, the same person who helped bring Howard Cosell his most fame also was a big part of the worst period of public enmity Cosell received when he backed Ali after the boxer’s championship title was stripped from him for refusing military service during the Vietnam War. Several years later Cosell and Ali found vindication when the United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of returning Ali’s title.

Howard Cosell passed away on April 23, 1995, and arguably no other man has ever left a more lasting impression in the world of sports and more specifically in sports broadcasting.