Howard Cosell

Howard Cosell was a renowned American sportscaster, best known for his work with Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman in the world of boxing, as well as his iconic commentary on Monday Night Football alongside Frank Gifford and Don Meredith. Cosell's distinctive voice and style made him a household name, and he became closely associated with ABC Sports and NBC Sports. He was also known for his work on Wide World of Sports, which featured a wide range of sports, including Olympic Games, Wimbledon, and Kentucky Derby. Cosell's career spanned multiple decades, and he worked with numerous notable figures, including Roone Arledge, Jim McKay, and Chris Schenkel.

● Early Life and Education

Howard Cosell was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to a family of Jewish descent, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he developed a strong interest in sports and journalism. He attended New York University and later graduated from New York University School of Law, where he earned his law degree and was a member of the New York State Bar Association. However, Cosell's true passion lay in sports broadcasting, and he began his career working with WKMB and WINS (AM), before moving on to ABC Radio and NBC Radio. Cosell's early work also included commentary on New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers games, alongside Red Barber and Vin Scully.

● Career

Cosell's career in sports broadcasting took off in the 1950s, when he began working with ABC Sports on various events, including college football and professional boxing. He quickly gained recognition for his unique style and became a regular commentator on Friday Night Fights, working alongside Don Dunphy and Ray Forrest. Cosell's work on ABC Sports also included commentary on Olympic Games, US Open (tennis), and Indianapolis 500, where he worked with Jim McKay and Chris Schenkel. He was also a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, where he appeared alongside Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon.

● Boxing Commentary

Cosell's work in boxing commentary is widely regarded as some of the best in the history of the sport, and he became closely associated with Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman. He commentated on many historic fights, including the Fight of the Century between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, as well as the Rumble in the Jungle between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Cosell's commentary on these fights, alongside Don Dunphy and Ray Forrest, helped to cement his reputation as one of the greatest boxing commentators of all time. He also worked on fights featuring Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, and Floyd Patterson, and was a frequent visitor to the Madison Square Garden and Caesars Palace.

● Monday Night Football

In 1970, Cosell joined Frank Gifford and Don Meredith as a commentator on Monday Night Football, which was broadcast on ABC Sports. The trio quickly became a household name, and their commentary on Monday Night Football helped to establish the program as one of the most popular sports broadcasts in the United States. Cosell's work on Monday Night Football included commentary on games featuring Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, and he worked alongside Roone Arledge and Chet Forte. He also appeared on The NFL Today, alongside Brent Musburger and Irv Cross.

● Legacy and Later Life

Cosell's legacy in sports broadcasting is still celebrated today, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest sportscasters of all time. He was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in 1993, and received the Sports Lifetime Achievement Award from ESPN in 1994. Cosell's work has also been recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, National Boxing Hall of Fame, and International Boxing Hall of Fame. He continued to work in sports broadcasting until his death in 1995, and his final broadcast was a Monday Night Football game between the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys.

● Personal Life

Cosell was married to Mary Edith Abrams from 1944 until his death in 1995, and the couple had two daughters, Jill Cosell and Hilary Cosell. He was a close friend of Muhammad Ali and Frank Sinatra, and was known for his charitable work with organizations such as the United Service Organizations and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Cosell was also a frequent visitor to the Friars Club and New York Athletic Club, where he would often meet with other notable figures, including Bob Hope and Johnny Carson. Category:American sportscasters