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I Never Played the Game
The broadcaster describes his involvement and recent disillusionment with spectator sports and documents his thirty-two years as a sports journalist, offering accounts of those who have worked beside him
380 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 4, 2013
If you were alive during the 60's and 70's and was a sports' fan then you have heard Howard Cosell. Though I never cared for Howard's personality that was never a doubt that we was a great announcer especially for boxing. Cosell said of himself, "Arrogant, pompous, obnoxious, vain, cruel, verbose, a showoff." I agree with him on that self description. This book, "I Never Played the Game," is a detailed account of Howard never playing the political game in his vocation as a sports journalist. The book details his outrage of sports teams picking up and moving from one city to another. He also discuss his history as a boxing announcer. This is my favorite part of the book. He describes the matches as no one else can. He paints a picture and makes one feel they are at ringside watching the fight. You may remember that Cosell decided that boxing had become to violate and gave up calling the matches. He spoke before the United States Congress on several occasions both about the violence of boxing and the plight of sports' teams picking up and moving to other cities. He details his account doing Monday night football and the "monkey" comment. He talks about the reason he and Pete Rozelle (Commissioner of the NFL) starting disliking each other. He also explains his friendship with baseball commissioner, Bowie Kuhn. There was only one Howard Cosell and there will never be another one. If you enjoy sports you will enjoy reading this book! I will post a youtube video on my blog about Cosell. You can find it here, http://timchavel.blogspot.com
February 1, 2019
In it's day it was a 4**** book but it is dated in the sense that the stories are over 30+ years old and many people will not remember the names or the controversies that are covered in the book. But, I gre up on Humble Howard and so I loved the book. He gives his take on sports, football, baseball and boxing. He makes statements and predictions 30 years ago that are truer now than then. A keen observer of the business of sports, Howard was a trained attorney and a bit of a skeptic and so nobody pulled the wool over his eyes. I really enjoyed the book and the 3*** is only due to it being dated in terms of stories and many of the people discussed will be unknown to todays generation, a generation that sadly will not hear Howard "Tell it Like it Is!"
November 2, 2021
If you want to read a book that is full of EGO, this is the book. I must admit I like Howard Cosell. And what he stood for but this book goes way beyond his beliefs. He would make us believe that he was solely responsible for the success of Monday Night Football, the success of Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), and Major League Baseball. True he was very influential in these endeavors but I believe they would have done well without HowRd Cosell.
One other thing you don’t want to get on his wrong side, he can be ruthless, although he comes off looking like a Saint in the book.
An old but good read, especially since you can read the book with an open mind because most of the characters have already passed away.
One other thing you don’t want to get on his wrong side, he can be ruthless, although he comes off looking like a Saint in the book.
An old but good read, especially since you can read the book with an open mind because most of the characters have already passed away.
May 2, 2013
There's a 5 star book lurkimg deep within the heart of these pages. That 5 star book is swept along on the bark of the erudite, fluent, and multisyllabic prose that Cosell delivers in such copious amounts over the 380 pages of this book; prose that contains a virulent dismantling of boxing, NFL ownership, ABC sports, and the jockocracy which places athletes in the broadcast booth.
For much of its pages, however, "I Never Played the Game" reads like so much high-powered and over elucidated kvetching. Cosell never says anything in this book in a page that he couldn't say in a long and drawn out chapter, and such instances sadly predominate in the reading of this memoir. Much of this book reads like a lawyer trying to get a waiter to have something taken off the bill.
What rings through, with crystalline force and, for this reader, with a ring of near tear-inducing nostalgia, is the splendor of the cadence and eloquent, bombastic expression that was wholly unique to Cosell. His is one of the great voices of the American 20th century; certainly the seminal voice in the re-casting of American sports broadcasting into something that represented less "rah-rah-rah", and was more a force for expressing and critiquing the games that define American life. Read this book to see Ali, and Sugar Ray and Jackie Robinson and most of all, Cosell. Never mind the gentle hypocrisies inherent in the man: "Howard Cosell, a man who changed his name, wears a toupee and tells it like it is", and remember this giant of the spoken word, who put a microphone in the face of our golden heroes and our golden calves. I miss him.
For much of its pages, however, "I Never Played the Game" reads like so much high-powered and over elucidated kvetching. Cosell never says anything in this book in a page that he couldn't say in a long and drawn out chapter, and such instances sadly predominate in the reading of this memoir. Much of this book reads like a lawyer trying to get a waiter to have something taken off the bill.
What rings through, with crystalline force and, for this reader, with a ring of near tear-inducing nostalgia, is the splendor of the cadence and eloquent, bombastic expression that was wholly unique to Cosell. His is one of the great voices of the American 20th century; certainly the seminal voice in the re-casting of American sports broadcasting into something that represented less "rah-rah-rah", and was more a force for expressing and critiquing the games that define American life. Read this book to see Ali, and Sugar Ray and Jackie Robinson and most of all, Cosell. Never mind the gentle hypocrisies inherent in the man: "Howard Cosell, a man who changed his name, wears a toupee and tells it like it is", and remember this giant of the spoken word, who put a microphone in the face of our golden heroes and our golden calves. I miss him.
July 13, 2026
This review is dedicated to my fellow student journalists at Wardlaw from 1982-1986, Jeremy Eisenberg, Martin McDougall, Sean McMullen, Eric Medina - All of them possessing extraordinary skills with the written and spoken word.
I devoured the book upon his suggestion that I should further develop a distinct "voice" in my writing and speech. Their gentle encouragement was pivotal in my interest in developing teenage journalists.
Howard Cosell set the gold standard for the intellectual understanding of sport, and its impact on our society. Cosell's style literally transformed the nature of sports journalism. His intellectual approach, use of analysis, and contextual framing of sports events, introduced the in-depth, "hard" news approach to the subject. His distinctive voice, syntax, and cadence sometimes proved to be more compelling than the athletes themselves.
Bob Costas, Bryant Gumbel, Mary Carillo, and so many others owe some of their success in sports journalism to the legacy of Cosell's elevated view of all things athletic.
I love blogs, 'user-generated content', and the torrent of information unleashed by the web. Its millions of bits of micro-reporting and regurgitated opinions provide for hours of entertainment, and some useful insights about sports. But, the world needs another Howard Cosell, albeit one for the Digital Age, capable of helping us understand the grand metaphor of sports in relation to our society.
I devoured the book upon his suggestion that I should further develop a distinct "voice" in my writing and speech. Their gentle encouragement was pivotal in my interest in developing teenage journalists.
Howard Cosell set the gold standard for the intellectual understanding of sport, and its impact on our society. Cosell's style literally transformed the nature of sports journalism. His intellectual approach, use of analysis, and contextual framing of sports events, introduced the in-depth, "hard" news approach to the subject. His distinctive voice, syntax, and cadence sometimes proved to be more compelling than the athletes themselves.
Bob Costas, Bryant Gumbel, Mary Carillo, and so many others owe some of their success in sports journalism to the legacy of Cosell's elevated view of all things athletic.
I love blogs, 'user-generated content', and the torrent of information unleashed by the web. Its millions of bits of micro-reporting and regurgitated opinions provide for hours of entertainment, and some useful insights about sports. But, the world needs another Howard Cosell, albeit one for the Digital Age, capable of helping us understand the grand metaphor of sports in relation to our society.
September 22, 2019
Growing up in the '70's in Colorado we all hated Howard Cosell. 'He' always slighted the Denver Broncos and he seemed to be obnoxious and snobbish.
Unfortunately, it was only after I had grown up, and Howard had passed, that I realized how privileged I was to have had the opportunity to see him doing what he did best. Call sporting events and to: "Tell it like it is". This book gave me a lot of insight into the man and how wrong his detractors really were. Sporting events, especially Monday Night Football were never the same after Howard Cosell (and 'Dandy' Don Meredith and Frank Gifford).
Unfortunately, it was only after I had grown up, and Howard had passed, that I realized how privileged I was to have had the opportunity to see him doing what he did best. Call sporting events and to: "Tell it like it is". This book gave me a lot of insight into the man and how wrong his detractors really were. Sporting events, especially Monday Night Football were never the same after Howard Cosell (and 'Dandy' Don Meredith and Frank Gifford).
July 22, 2007
The funny thing about Howard Cosell is, you either liked him or you hated him. There really wasn't any middle ground. I was that rare breed. I liked Cosell. And I enjoyed his autobiography. He had an enormous ego and a mouth to match, but he played a vital role in the development of Monday Night Football.
June 1, 2008
Learned that when someone asks you something, you can reply with "I don't know. I haven't formed an opinion yet."
December 28, 2024
Part Sports jounalist and Circus barker Bigger than life. obnoxious. Mixed and mingled with the media and sports elites. The book weaves an interesting story of Cosells rise to stardom. His keen intellectual self promotion always made him capture an audience but failed to garner its love. Having read this book 40 odd years after its release eases the angst of Cosell. His story is brilliantly told with Peter Bonventre and doesn't glosscoat Cosells intensity to factually tell the story. they're will only be one Cosell. Predominantly a wonderful insiders tale of the NFL, in its infancy, and pro boxing becoming mega buisnesses.
October 31, 2023
Meh.
I skipped through huge chunks of this book, especially the dull beginning.
When you get to the good parts - his behind the scenes of MNF, Muhammed Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, that was very informative. Also when he got in trouble with his infamous "Monkey" comment on live TV which he spent an entire chapter on defending himself. That was good and he makes a decent point, although he should have thought that through.
If I could give a 2.5 I would do so...but did enjoy the historical aspects of this quick read...,
I skipped through huge chunks of this book, especially the dull beginning.
When you get to the good parts - his behind the scenes of MNF, Muhammed Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, that was very informative. Also when he got in trouble with his infamous "Monkey" comment on live TV which he spent an entire chapter on defending himself. That was good and he makes a decent point, although he should have thought that through.
If I could give a 2.5 I would do so...but did enjoy the historical aspects of this quick read...,
June 16, 2025
Having grown up in the 60s and 70s, Howard Cosell was an integral part of my sports viewing experiences. This book gives wonderful insight into many of the sports moments I lived and viewed from afar. There was nothing like it when Monday Night Football began in 1970, and whether you liked Cosell or not, you always tuned in to hear what he would say. Also, at a time without cable and ESPN, the halftime highlights were a must see. I'm glad to have read this 40 year old book of recollections and observations. A real trip thru memory lane, as I can still hear his voice.
September 9, 2018
Always great to hear from Howard Cosell. After reading about how this book basically cost him his career and I’m not surprised. He throws almost every body and every sport he worked with under the bus while still saying he has no ill will against them. The massive ego shines through quite a lot but it was still fun to spend some time with him and listen to his voice. Listened to abridged audiobook read by the author himself.
June 11, 2018
Found this book laying around my Dad’s house and gave it a go. The book was a very enjoyable read and it was fun reading about the stars of yesteryear. Cosell’s voice and sizable ego are present throughout. The politics and corruption he illuminates are fascinating. I also admire Howard’s commitment to valuing integrity.
May 27, 2021
Cosell gives his opinions on some significant events and people in his career, in a direct and engaging style. There's plenty of ego, balanced by candor. Time has passed by many of the characters he talks about, but the names will be familiar to fans of TV sports from the 1970s.
October 19, 2023
I was able to get this at the library. I always enjoyed Howard and so of course I liked the book.
I did not mind him calling out some of the announcers and writers he worked with as not being his equal. Howard was a smart guy and seemed to do it "his way".
I did not mind him calling out some of the announcers and writers he worked with as not being his equal. Howard was a smart guy and seemed to do it "his way".
October 27, 2020
Read in 1987. Cosell examines the current state of sports in America.
September 25, 2011
I have never read a book about sports so interesting than I Never Played the Game by Howard Cosell. This is an exclusive insider's look into the wheeling and dealings of football, baseball, the NFL, the sport of boxing, and other assorted sports figures and celebs.
Who, growing up in the '70's, doesn't remember that voice, the cadence, the play by play action of Monday Night Football, the dramatic punch by punch description of boxing matches, delivered by Mr. Cosell. While reading his book I couldn't help but read it the way Howard Cosell would call a fight on ABC's Wide World of Sports.
I remember when this book was released and what a brouhaha it raised in the first few weeks as sportscasters and journalist tried to understand Howard's reasoning for writing it. The book is 380 pages long and an easy read if you don't mind reading about a man who is very sure of himself and doesn't mind telling you over and over. In the last few pages, Mr. Cosell, quotes John Lennon attributing his reunion with Yoko Ono to Howard Cosell, himself.
The book does offer several revelations into how the NFL owners manipulate city governments into building or giving up revenues in order to keep or gain an NFL franchise. Mr. Cosell firmly believes and makes a good case for the NFL being an active monopoly in America at the time.
The book also addresses issues dealing with why Howard Cosell left Monday Night Football, one reason being what he calls the "jockocracy" of sports announcers. He believed that you needed to add a touch of journalism to the game or boxing match and not let it become a play by play call by former athletes.
Howard Cosell takes on and explains his departure of professional boxing. He acknowledges that boxing was the catalyst to making him who he was. He loved Ali and Sugar Ray but despised Duran. He recalls the deaths of three fighters, avoidable in his opinion, that helped seal his decision to walk away from his contract with professional boxing due to the dangers and lack of concern for the fighters by the state commissions and other authorities.
I recommend this book if you remember Howard Cosell and want a personal explanation of what happen to football, boxing and baseball in the 1970's and why he left sports journalism when he did.
Who, growing up in the '70's, doesn't remember that voice, the cadence, the play by play action of Monday Night Football, the dramatic punch by punch description of boxing matches, delivered by Mr. Cosell. While reading his book I couldn't help but read it the way Howard Cosell would call a fight on ABC's Wide World of Sports.
I remember when this book was released and what a brouhaha it raised in the first few weeks as sportscasters and journalist tried to understand Howard's reasoning for writing it. The book is 380 pages long and an easy read if you don't mind reading about a man who is very sure of himself and doesn't mind telling you over and over. In the last few pages, Mr. Cosell, quotes John Lennon attributing his reunion with Yoko Ono to Howard Cosell, himself.
The book does offer several revelations into how the NFL owners manipulate city governments into building or giving up revenues in order to keep or gain an NFL franchise. Mr. Cosell firmly believes and makes a good case for the NFL being an active monopoly in America at the time.
The book also addresses issues dealing with why Howard Cosell left Monday Night Football, one reason being what he calls the "jockocracy" of sports announcers. He believed that you needed to add a touch of journalism to the game or boxing match and not let it become a play by play call by former athletes.
Howard Cosell takes on and explains his departure of professional boxing. He acknowledges that boxing was the catalyst to making him who he was. He loved Ali and Sugar Ray but despised Duran. He recalls the deaths of three fighters, avoidable in his opinion, that helped seal his decision to walk away from his contract with professional boxing due to the dangers and lack of concern for the fighters by the state commissions and other authorities.
I recommend this book if you remember Howard Cosell and want a personal explanation of what happen to football, boxing and baseball in the 1970's and why he left sports journalism when he did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2012
Ugh! Damn me for having to finish a book once I start it. I was not a big fan of Mr. Cosell or his writing, based solely on what I was reading in this book... And it never got better. He had some interesting tid bits about sports, especially boxing and football, of course, all told from his point of view, which was always undeniably right. I am surprised that Mr. Cosell never tried to take credit for inventing the wheel, discovering fire, and curing cancer, although he did seem to take credit for reuniting John Lennon and Yoko Ono at one point. The only thing I can really say that I am happy about this book is that it is over.
March 19, 2014
Over time, this book has been largely remembered for the shots Cosell takes at his MNF colleagues as well as Roone Arledge. However, the passage of time gives the reader a different perspectives. Is Cosell arrogant? Yes, but he acknowledges as such. However, much of what he writes his true. His chapters on Carroll Rosenbloom, Pete Rozelle, Al Davis, Bowie Kuhn and Sugar Ray Leonard are insightful and well done. It's easy to forget how large a personality Cosell was during his era, but he was indeed sports in that time.
March 4, 2009
I enjoyed Howard Cosell's announcing. Loved his dramatic voice and unique diction. This book is interesting because it shows the real Cosell. As a history that tells us some important things about the development of football it is well worth reading. It didn't make me particularly like Howard Cosell, though.
July 31, 2012
Howard Cosell was a genius, infinitely smarter than Yours Truly. As such, I can only imagine Howard haunting me with verbal pimp-slaps if I even attempted to criticize his writing. Read the book, marvel, and wonder why they just don't make them like that any more (except maybe for Bob Costas and Frank DeFord).
January 20, 2016
Cosell's take on his highly controversial broadcasting career, especially focused on his boxing work of the 1960s and Monday Night Football broadcasts of the 1970s to early 1980s. Everyone has a side to their stories, and Cosell certainly does.
October 4, 2010
Interesting book, kinda a stroll down memory lane for sports. Didn't realize Cosell had gone totally against pro boxing.
May 29, 2012
Wasn't a big fan of the man, but he knew different sides of certain sports, and his knowledge is undeniable.
July 2, 2014
(pre-Goodreads)
Enjoyed it.
Estimated date.
Enjoyed it.
Estimated date.
March 14, 2024
Dated, but interesting for it's capture of a moment in time as well as portraits of former NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle and former baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn.
March 3, 2009
Keep a dictionary handy.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews