Howard Cosell
Howard Cosell was an American sports broadcaster known for his distinctive nasal voice, powerful vocabulary, and confrontational style.
He became famous calling Monday Night Football and Muhammad Ali's boxing matches from the 1970s through the mid-1980s.
His catchphrase Tell it like it is captured his self-image as a truth-teller willing to inject serious commentary—on race, labor, hypocrisy—into sports coverage.
Cosell polarized audiences: polls named him both the most liked and most disliked sportscaster in America.
One who gathers news
- interviewingFormal questioning session
- mediaInformation distribution channels
- pressApply force downward
- editorialPublication's official viewpoint article
coverage · expose · pundit · investigative · Muhammad Ali · John Lennon · crusading · commentary
Causing public dispute
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- outspokenFreely expressing opinions
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- opinionatedFirmly attached to beliefs
abrasive · blunt · candid · brash · bombastic · uncompromising · confrontational · divisive
Weekly primetime NFL telecast
- microphoneAudio input device
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
- telecastTransmitted television program
live · anchor · airwaves · network · booth · on-air · camera · studio
Real-time event narration
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- narrationVerbal account delivery
- blow-by-blowExhaustively detailed account
- halftimeMidpoint break in games
sideline · sportscast · announcing · ringside · call · voice · delivery · cadence
Widely recognized, enduring
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
- influentialHaving considerable effect
memorable · distinctive · unforgettable · Hall of Fame · Emmy · groundbreaking · definitive · seminal
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- verboseMore words than necessary
- grandiloquentPretentiously elevated in speech
- loquaciousInclined to talk much
- oratoricalOf formal public speaking
rhetorical · sesquipedalian · erudite · polysyllabic · florid · expressive · silver-tongued · voluble
reporter
One who gathers news
- interviewingFormal questioning session
- mediaInformation distribution channels
- pressApply force downward
editorial · coverage · expose · pundit · investigative · Muhammad Ali · John Lennon · crusading · commentary
controversial
Causing public dispute
- polarizingCausing sharp division
- outspokenFreely expressing opinions
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
opinionated · abrasive · blunt · candid · brash · bombastic · uncompromising · confrontational · divisive · antagonistic
Monday Night Football
Weekly primetime NFL telecast
- microphoneAudio input device
- primetimeTelevision's highest-viewership period
- televisionBroadcast viewing device
telecast · live · anchor · airwaves · network · booth · on-air · camera · studio · satellite
play-by-play
Real-time event narration
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- narrationVerbal account delivery
- blow-by-blowExhaustively detailed account
halftime · sideline · sportscast · announcing · ringside · call · voice · delivery · cadence · timing
iconic
Widely recognized, enduring
- legendaryFamous beyond ordinary measure
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
influential · memorable · distinctive · unforgettable · Hall of Fame · Emmy · groundbreaking · definitive · seminal · venerated
articulate
Express clearly, or well-spoken
- verboseMore words than necessary
- grandiloquentPretentiously elevated in speech
- loquaciousInclined to talk much
oratorical · rhetorical · sesquipedalian · erudite · polysyllabic · florid · expressive · silver-tongued · voluble · descriptive
Howard CosellJohn Madden
Boom! Tough actin'!
play-by-play announcer · Tony Romo · color commentator · Mr. Rogers · Joe Rogan