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t Page 17 The Panther Cosell Critical of ‘Sports- Crazed’ Country. August 25,1980 BY VEVERLY Y. BYRD Panther Sports Editor Through the eyes of Howard Cosell, sports has become “out of whack" in this country and a dangerously "corrupt part of it." “People are taught from birth that a game is sanctum, that all athletes are heroes... that sports is a refuge from real life,” said Cosell, who was in Atlanta August 15 to broadcast the Atlanta Falcons - Pittsburgh Steelers football games. "This craze - this sports epidemic - has been created by what I call the sports syndrome,” he said. “And I am deeply concerned about the sports and its place in this country.” Speaking at a luncheon spon sored by the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences,Cosell said the degree of dissension caused by the actions of President Carter in the Olympic boycott movement is a good example of the sports syndrome. Cosell questioned the validity of U.S. Olympic officials’ fight against the boycott. “Where were these people (U.S. Olympic officials) in 1972,” he asked. "Who fought for Rick. Dumont (who had his gold medal taken away because a drug his doctor prescribed for him for asthma was not on the Olympic Committee’s approved list). . . and what about the two fastest runners then, Eddie Hart and Ranard Robinson (the tract stars who accidently missed their heats because their coach had given them the wrong time, and were eliminated), who fought for them . . . and who fought for the U.S. basketball team (which lost to the Soviet Union on con troversial timekeeping,” he said. I \ PANTHERS ^jubcut • sSj2jcJ: ^lAj^uyuou TJynjurri \ 1980 Panther Football Schedule s September I Howard Cosell is sportscaster turned preacher during his recent visit to Atlanta. (Photo by Jerome Gwinn) said the sports polls,” he said. "Let’s put the 13 Virginia Union 20 Richmond, VA 1:30 pjn. 27 Fisk Atlanta, GA 2:00 p.m. October 4 Ft. Valley 11 Open 18 Griffin, GA 8:00 pjn. 25 Savannah (Homecoming) 6:00 p.m. November 1 Albany State Albany, GA 1:30 p.m. 8 Kentucky State Frankfort, KT 1:30 pjn. 15 Morehouse Atlanta, GA 2:00 p.m. 27 Morris Brown Atlanta, GA 2:00 pjn. c.osel syndrome has distorted people's minds and become an obsession. Although sports has its proper place in this country it should not be above the law, he said. "Who has the power to make foreign policy,” he said. “Has it been entrusted to a water polo player, a skullest, a gymnast, a boxer? I feelPresidentCarterdid the absolutely right and only th ing he could have done about the Olympics.” To have gone would have given "tacid” forgiveness and even approval of what the Soviets have done, he con tinued. Although the sportscaster ad mitted television is not without fault, he placed the basic blame for the sports syndrome on print media. "Long before network cables were strong, the print media had developed weekly ratings and blame where it belongs.” He added that the print media are also responsible for Olympic nationalism. "It was, after all, the print media who created the unofficial system of points scoring, pitting the U.S. against Russia,” he said. "We need honest journalism, not false heroes. Let's not make an athlete what he’s not. Turning his thoughts to the Muhammed Ali - Larry Holmes fight, Cosell said Ali’s reason for agreeing to fight Holmes is greatly due to his need for money.” Larry Holmes is a respectable, solid fighter . . . Holmes will beat him. I just hope he elects not to hurt him.” Cosell stated that Ali may possess the characteristics to achieve the impossible and that he is very suddened by his decision to fight.” Cosell discusses Ali-Holmes Fight. (Photo by Jerome Gwinn) l-O-W-O'* The Clark College Panther Newspaper Announces The First Annual Black College Day Essay Contest YOU COULD WIN AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO ATTEND THE FIRST ANNUAL BLACK COLLEGE MARCH AND RALLY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1980. SPONSORED BY THE PROJECT '80 COALITION FOR BLACK COLLEGES Send all entries to: Essay Contest Hie Clark College Panther Newspaper P.O. Box 154 Clark College 240 Chestnut St. SW Atlanta, Ga. 30314 I See page 8 for contest roles I >«■».( >«■»( >•«■»'( >-«■»-( I4B»( ><«■»(