Howard Cossell moments, anybody ? ...

...how I loved those half time highlights hoping the Giants would be on!

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Scene in Bananas

after Larry Holmes used Randall Tex Cobb as a punching bag for 15 rounds?

In comment 14473259 gtt350 said:

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He said, "Look at that little monkey run!"

My dad would turn the sound down when he was on. He used to call Cossell a 'Front running Cowboy fan'. My dad also preferred Frazier over Ali.

if only because it led to one of the greatest football play calls in TV history, courtesy of Felix Unger..

“Staubach takes the snap from center. He fakes a hand off to Duane Thomas elegantly and fades back to pass. He’s looking for a receiver. He can’t find one. He’s scrambling… He’s scrambling with the dexterity of a lizard. … And now he looks to run with it himself. And he’s stopped cold at the line of scrimmage. No gain on the play! … No gain, but a lesson for us all. And what is that lesson? It is the lesson that is the message of all sports. Try, try again. For all men, no matter what their race, creed or color, no matter who they are, more than money is the love of fair play…

....I remember him on WABC Radio doing a 1 minute segment called "Speaking on Sports".

"This is Howard Cossell, Speaking on Sports"...........

who responded that he thought Cossell looked like a monkey.


OJ Simpson said to Howard something like: Howard you've proved once again you have a tremendous grasp of the obvious, to use one of your lines

Which ironically brought him much success, but ultimately doomed him.

to win the ALCS vs the Royals.

Sometimes color guys can't restrain themselves from reacting when a really big moment happens, but it's always at least somewhat in the background of the play-by-play call.

Howard just barged in to take over the call.

Of course, Jackson knew all about Howard's act, since they and Dandy Don were the original MNF trio.

Always mentioned Tulsa when he called Dolphin’s HowardTwilley. Every game.

didn't he announce Lennon's death on MNF?

Cossell made the MNF highlights fantastic. He made it sound like the clash of the titans. Hard to believe his last year doing MNF was 1983. The "pre-cable" days of TV offered little in the way of football highlights, which made those special halftime segments even more special. The golden age of MNF was the 1970's. Gifford, Cossell,and dandy Don were great!

was a good fight announcer and a so-so football announcer. Still his chemistry with Meredith and Gifford worked until Cosell got a big head and acted like people tuned in just to listen to him. Then he became insufferable to listen to.

In comment 14473303 BillKo said:

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....I remember him on WABC Radio doing a 1 minute segment called "Speaking on Sports". "This is Howard Cossell, Speaking on Sports"...........

Yes! 5:25 every weekday afternoon on Cousin Brucie's show. Great memories of sitting in the car after athletic practice listening to Howard.

I remember one time Morrow playing Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" refrain of "I know, I know, I know..." in a loop that went into the segment and when Cosell was finished, the loop was still playing. "I know, I know, I know..." Funny enough to linger in my mind for 45 years.

the most pompous of pompous asses!

Dude was a solid 6'4".

My memory isn't what it used to be, but I think it was Game 1 in the series where the Bulls won in OT. Anyway...back then you could smoke in designated areas in the corridors, so it was halftime, and I'm having a smoke with a buddy, when these two huge guys in suits come walking around the bend, and my buddy says, "Hey, that's Howard Cosell." Sure enough, walking behind those two big guys and ahead of two more was Howard Cosell. The four men must have been his security. It was very weird...almost like a religious experience as they walked by, because it got real quiet, everybody stepped aside to let him and his security pass. Just a very surreal moment.

and every poster misspelled it!

"Ueck, you don't have to get so truculent. You do know what truculent means." Uecker, without missing a beat, said: "Of course, Howard. If you had a truck and I borrowed it, it would be a truck you lent."

Both when he was on MNF and when Howard announced that he had been killed.

In comment 14473479 Alan in Toledo said:

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and every poster misspelled it!

Not every poster.

Was on the odd couple calling Felix an inane drone

Dull Bee

Boxing very good.
Football could not stand him.

In comment 14473550 JerseyCityJoe said:

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Boxing very good. Football could not stand him.

Baseball: absolutely horrible.

There was a bar somewhere - I don't remember and it doesn't really matter - that had a contest every Monday night prior to MNF with Cosell, Meredith, and Gifford.

The prize in the contest was a brick. The winner got to throw it through the screen of a working television as soon as Howard came on.

In comment 14473290 mrvax said:

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In comment 14473259 gtt350 said: Quote: . He said, "Look at that little monkey run!"

It was a receiver. One of the smurfs. Clark?

Cosell was the first shock jock and a great heel entertainer.

I recall him doing post game radio spots for the 1962 Mets, their maiden year.

Some things never escape your memory. Here’s what I recall as if it was yesterday:

“Hello again everybody, this is Howard Cosell, along with Big Ralph number 13 Branca, in the wrap up edition of Clubhouse Journal, brought to you this evening and every evening, by your local Midas Muffler dealer.”

In comment 14473585 Reale01 said:

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In comment 14473290 mrvax said: Quote: In comment 14473259 gtt350 said: Quote: . He said, "Look at that little monkey run!" It was a receiver. One of the smurfs. Clark?

Alvin Garrett. I heard that live when it happened, to me it didn’t sound like Cosell meant it as an epithet, but rather in the excitement of a big play he unintentionally chose a really bad word to describe a quick and agile small guy.

The juice is on the loose !

When he had too much to drink during one game and threw up on Dandy Don Meredith’s boots. He had the flu of course.

He was interviewing Leon Spinx before a big boxing match. He asked Leon if he learned anything from his last fight (a boxer that I can't remember). Leon responded, "yeah, I'm a lot more not dumber now". I laughed my ass off and said to the tv, "oh yes you are Leon", LOL

Smart and eloquent ... but still a dickhead,

All they had to do was parrot Howard.

What was amazing Cossell did those halftime highlights live off the cuff.

A brilliant mind, never quite suited for the broadcast booth.

Were the best ever at their craft

In comment 14473668 flycatcher said:

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In comment 14473585 Reale01 said: Quote: In comment 14473290 mrvax said: Quote: In comment 14473259 gtt350 said: Quote: . He said, "Look at that little monkey run!" It was a receiver. One of the smurfs. Clark? Alvin Garrett. I heard that live when it happened, to me it didn’t sound like Cosell meant it as an epithet, but rather in the excitement of a big play he unintentionally chose a really bad word to describe a quick and agile small guy.

He had used it before, describing small, quick players:
College game with Mike Adamle - ( New Window )

...but after Summerall/Madden, Gifford/Meredith/Cossell were my favorite football commentator-team of all time.

Howard had a knack for changing his opinions over the course of a game - I can remember multiple times where moments after criticizing a player, he'd sing the praises of the same athlete after a good play.

Ali/Clay.

In comment 14473259 gtt350 said:

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Sad to have this error be the tombstone of his career, but it was and is.