Bob Costas | |
|---|---|
 Costas in 2014 | |
| Born | Robert Quinlan Costas (1952-03-22)March 22, 1952 (age 73) New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Syracuse University (did not graduate) |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 2 |
Robert Quinlan Costas (born March 22, 1952) is an American sportscaster who is known for his long tenure withNBC Sports, from 1980 through 2019. He has received 29Emmy awards for his work[1][2][3] and was the prime-time host of 12Olympic Games from1988 until2016. He is currently employed byWarner Bros. Discovery, where he does commentary onCNN. He is also employed byMLB Network, where he makes special appearances and once hosted an interview show calledStudio 42 with Bob Costas.
Costas is the son of aGreek father, John George Costas, and an Irish mother, Jayne Costas (née Quinlan). He grew up inCommack, New York, and attendedCommack High School South.[4][5]
He attended theS. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications atSyracuse University,[6] but dropped out in 1974.[7] Costas got his first radio experience as a freshman atWAER, a student run radio station.[8][9][10] In the mid-1980s, he established the Robert Costas Scholarship at the Newhouse School, of which the first recipient wasMike Tirico in 1987.[11]
While studying communications in college, Costas began his professional career in 1973, at WSYR-TV[a] (nowWSTM-TV) andWSYR-FM radio inSyracuse. He called for the minor leagueSyracuse Blazers of theEastern Hockey League.[12][9]
After leaving school in 1974, he joinedKMOX radio inSt. Louis. He covered games of theAmerican Basketball Association (ABA).[13] Costas would callMissouri Tigers basketball and co-host KMOX'sOpen Line call-in program. He did play-by-play forChicago Bulls broadcasts onWGN-TV during the1979–1980 NBA season.[14][15]
In 1980, Costas was hired byNBC.Don Ohlmeyer, who at the time ran NBC'ssports division, told 28-year-old Costas he looked like a 14-year-old.[16]
For many years, Costas hosted NBC'sNational Football League (NFL) coverage andNational Basketball Association (NBA) coverage. He also did play-by-play for NBA andMajor League Baseball (MLB) coverage. With the introduction of theNBC Sports Network, Costas also became the host of the new monthly interview programCostas Tonight.[17]
On March 30, 2015, it was announced that Costas would join forces withMarv Albert (blow-by-blow) andAl Michaels (host) on the April 11, 2015, edition of NBC'sprimetimePBC on NBC boxing series.[18] Costas was added to serve as a special contributor for the event fromBarclays Center inBrooklyn. He would narrate and write a feature on the storied history of boxing in New York City.[19]
Costas hostedNBC'scoverage of theU.S. Open golf tournament[20] from2003 to2014.[21]
Forbaseball telecasts, Costas teamed withSal Bando[22] (1982),Tony Kubek (from1983 to1989), andJoe Morgan andBob Uecker (from1994 to2000). One of his most memorable broadcasts occurred on June 23, 1984 (in what would go down in baseball lore as "The Sandberg Game").[23] Costas, along with Tony Kubek, was calling the Saturday baseballGame of the Week from Chicago'sWrigley Field. The game between theChicago Cubs andSt. Louis Cardinals in particular was cited for puttingRyne Sandberg (as well as the1984 Cubs in general, who would go on to make their first postseason appearance since1945) "on the map". In the ninth inning, the Cubs, trailing 9–8, faced the premier relief pitcher of the time,Bruce Sutter. Sandberg, then not known for his power, slugged a home run to left field against the Cardinals' ace closer.[23] Despite this dramatic act, the Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the tenth. Sandberg came up again in the tenth inning, facing a determined Sutter with one man on base. Sandberg then shocked the national audience by hitting a second home run, even farther into the left field bleachers, to tie the game again.[23] The Cubs went on to win in the 11th inning.[24] When Sandberg hit that second home run, Costas said,"Do you believe it?!" The Cardinals'Willie McGee also hit for the cycle in the same game.[25]
While hosting Game 4 of the1988 World Series between theLos Angeles Dodgers andOakland Athletics onNBC, Costas angered many members of the Dodgers (especially the team's manager,Tommy Lasorda) by commenting before the start of the game that the Dodgers quite possibly were about to put up the weakest-hitting lineup in World Series history.[26] That comment ironically fired up the Dodgers' competitive spirit, to the point where a chant of "Kill Costas!" began among the clubhouse, while the Dodgers eventually rolled to a 4–1 series victory.[27]
Besides calling the1989 American League Championship Series for NBC, Costas[28][29][30] also filled in for a suddenly illVin Scully, who had come down withlaryngitis, for Game 2 of the1989 National League Championship Series alongsideTom Seaver. Game 2 of the NLCS took place on Thursday, October 5, which was an off day for the ALCS. NBC then decided to fly Costas from Toronto to Chicago to substitute for Scully on Thursday night. Afterward, Costas flew back to Toronto, where he resumed work on the ALCS[31][32] the next night.
Costas anchored NBC's pre- and post-game shows for NFL broadcasts and the pre and post-game shows for numerous World Series andMajor League Baseball All-Star Games during the 1980s (the first being for the1982 World Series). Costas did not get a shot at doing play-by-play (as the games on NBC were previously called by Vin Scully) for an All-Star Game until1994 and a World Series until1995 (when NBC split the coverage withABC under "The Baseball Network" umbrella), when NBC regained Major League Baseball rights after a four-year hiatus (when the broadcast network television contract moved over toCBS,[33][34] exclusively). It was not until1997 when Costas finally got to do play-by-play for a World Series from start to finish. Costas ended up winning aSports Emmy Award forOutstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play.[35]
In1999, Costas teamed with his then-NBC colleague Joe Morgan to call two weekday night telecasts forESPN. The first was onWednesday, August 25 with theDetroit Tigers playing against theSeattle Mariners.[36]
On August 3, 2019, Costas alongsidePaul O'Neill andDavid Cone[37][38] called both games of adouble-header between theNew York Yankees andBoston Red Sox for theYES Network. Costas was filling in forMichael Kay, who was recovering from vocal cord surgery.
On August 20, 2021, reports emerged thatTBS was nearing an agreement with Costas to host their coverage of that year'sNLCS[39][40] This became true when TBS announce his role on October 7, 2021.[40][41][42]
On October 31, 2024, Costas announced that he was officially retiring from Major League Baseball play-by-play calling after 44 years.[43] This means that his final Major League Baseball broadcast as a play-by-play announcer was Game 4 of the2024 American League Division Series between theNew York Yankees andKansas City Royals, airing on TBS.[44]
In November 2017, it was announced that Costas would co-anchor alongsideKrista Voda onNBC's pre-race coverage leading into theNASCAR Cup Seriesfinale fromHomestead.[45] In addition to hosting pre-race coverage, Costas would conduct a live interview with incoming NBC broadcasterDale Earnhardt Jr., who was running his final race.[46]
Costas served as NBC's lead play-by-play announcer for theirNational Basketball Association (NBA)broadcasts from1997-2000. In that time frame, Costas called threeNBA Finals including the1998 installment (whichset an all-timeratings record for the NBA) between theChicago Bulls andUtah Jazz. Costas was paired withIsiah Thomas andDoug Collins on NBC's NBA telecast.[47][48] Following the2000 NBA Finals, he was replaced byMarv Albert as the lead play-by-play announcer, who incidentally, the man he directly replaced on theNBA on NBC in the first place.[49][50][51]
Costas had previously presided as host of NBC's pre-game show,NBA Showtime, while also providing play-by-play as a fill-in when necessary. Costas later co-anchored (withHannah Storm) NBC's NBA Finals coverage in2002, which was their last to-date (before the NBA's network television contract moved toABC).[52][53]
Okay, Marv, thanks very much. And as Marv himself would say, "it should be pointed out" that Marv is celebrating his forty-ninth birthday tonight for a record twelfth consecutive year. Well, another season is in the books. The Lakers' title run continues with perhaps no end in sight. But as Marv said, we have reached the end of our run with the NBA. NBC's twelve years televising the league had been filled with indelible moments. And so, as we say good night, here's an appreciative look back. And for one last time, you've been watching theNBA on NBC.
— Bob Costas closing out NBC's final NBA broadcast, Game 4 of the2002 NBA Finals on June 12, 2002.
Costas began as a play-by-play announcer, working with analystBob Trumpy.[54] In 1984, he would replaceLen Berman as studio host.[55] Among his NFL colleagues wasO.J. Simpson, who had called30 Rockefeller Plaza asking to speak to Costas during Simpson's infamouspolice chase through the freeways ofLos Angeles. However, Costas was several blocks away atMadison Square Garden covering Game 5 of the1994 NBA Finals. Costas learned of the attempted contact when visiting Simpson in prison later that year.[56] Costas remained NFL studio host until 1992, when he was replaced byJim Lampley.
NBC Sports allowed Costas to opt out from having to cover theXFL. He publicly denigrated the league throughout its existence and remains a vocal critic of the XFL and its premise.[57]
In2006, Costas returned to NFL studio hosting duties for NBC's newSunday Night Football, hosting its pre-game showFootball Night in America.
Costas is nicknamed "Rapping Roberto" by New York City'sDaily News sports media columnist Bob Raissman.[58]Al Michaels also called him "Rapping Roberto" during the telecast between theIndianapolis Colts and theNew York Giants on September 10, 2006, in response to Costas calling him "Alfalfa".[59]
Costas has frontlined many Olympics broadcasts forNBC. They includeSeoul in 1988,Barcelona in 1992,Atlanta in 1996,Sydney in 2000,Salt Lake City in 2002,Athens in 2004,Torino in 2006,Beijing in 2008,Vancouver in 2010,London in 2012,Sochi in 2014 andRio in 2016.[60] He discusses his work on the Olympic telecasts extensively in a book by Andrew Billings entitledOlympic Media: Inside the Biggest Show on Television. A personal influence on Costas has been legendaryABC Sports broadcasterJim McKay, who hosted many Olympics forABC from the 1960s to the 1980s.[61]
During the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Opening Ceremonies, Costas's remarks on China's teams' possible drug use caused an uproar among the American Chinese and international communities. Thousands of dollars were raised to purchase ads inThe Washington Post and SundayThe New York Times, featuring an image of the head of a statue ofApollo and reading: "Costas Poisoned Olympic Spirit, Public Protests NBC".[62][63] However, Costas's comments were made subsequent to the suspension of Chinese coach Zhou Ming after seven of his swimmers were caught using steroids in 1994. Further evidence of Chinese athletes' drug use came in 1997 when Australian authorities confiscated 13 vials ofSomatropin, a human growth hormone, from the bag of Chinese swimmer Yuan Yuan upon her arrival for the1997 World Swimming Championships. At the World Championships, four Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned substanceTriamterene, a diuretic used to dilute urine samples to mask the presence of anabolic steroids. Including these failed drug tests, 27 Chinese swimmers were caught using performance-enhancing drugs from 1990 through 1997; more than the rest of the world combined.[64]
Along with co-hostMeredith Vieira andMatt Lauer, Costas's commentary of the2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies came under fierce criticism, with Costas being described as making "a series ofjingoistic remarks, including a joke about dictatorIdi Amin whenUganda's team appeared"[65] and the combined commentary as being "ignorant" and "banal".[66][67][68]
Following the Olympics, Costas appeared onConan O'Brien'stalk show and jokingly criticized his employer for its decision to air a preview of the upcoming seriesAnimal Practice over a performance byThe Who during the London closing ceremonies. "So here is the balance NBC has to consider: The Who, 'Animal Practice'.Roger Daltrey,Pete Townshend—monkey in a lab coat. I'm sure you'd be the first to attest, Conan, that when it comes to the tough calls, NBC usually gets 'em right," Costas said, alluding at the end to O'Brien's involvement in the2010Tonight Show conflict.[69]
An eye infection Costas had at the start of the2014 Winter Olympics forced him, on February 11, 2014, to cede his Olympic hosting duties toMatt Lauer (four nights) andMeredith Vieira (two nights), the first time Costas had not done so at all since the1998 Winter Olympics (as the rights were not held by NBC).[70]
From2001 until 2018, Costas co-hosted theKentucky Derby.[71] In 2009, he hostedBravo's coverage of the 2009Kentucky Oaks.[72] After Costas officially departed from NBC Sports, his role on NBC'sthoroughbred racing coverage was essentially filled-in byRebecca Lowe, beginning with the2019 Kentucky Derby.[73]
On February 9, 2017, Costas announced duringToday that he had begun the process of stepping down from his main on-air roles at NBC Sports, announcing in particular that he would cede his role as primetime host for NBC's Olympics coverage toMike Tirico (who joined the network from ESPN in 2016), and that he would hostSuper Bowl LII as his final Super Bowl.[74] However, Costas ultimately dropped out of the coverage entirely.[75]
USA Today reported that he would similarly step down fromFootball Night in America in favor of Tirico. Costas explained that he was not outright retiring and expected to take on a role at NBC Sports similar to that ofTom Brokaw, being an occasional special correspondent to the division. He explained that his decision "opens up more time to do the things that I feel I'm most connected to; there will still be events, features, and interviews where I can make a significant contribution at NBC, but it will also leave more time for baseball (on MLB Network), and then, at some point down the road, I'll have a chance to do more of the long-form programming I enjoy." Costas toldUSA Today his gradual retirement was planned in advance, and that he did not want to announce it during the2016 Summer Olympics or the NFL season because it would be too disruptive, and joked: "I'm glad that Sochi wasn't the last one. You wouldn't want your pink-eye Olympics to be your last Olympics."[74][76]
Costas's final major on-air broadcast for NBC was hosting the2018 Belmont Stakes, whereJustify won theTriple Crown.[77]
On January 15, 2019, it was announced that Costas had officially departed from NBC Sports after 40 years.[78][1]
On August 11, 2024, Costas made a rare guest appearance on NBC's coverage of the2024 Summer Olympics for a segment previewing the2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, joining Tirico and Al Michaels in a discussion of notable moments from past Olympics hosted by the United States.[79]
Costas hosted the syndicated radio programCostas Coast to Coast from 1986 to 1996, which was revived asCostas on the Radio.Costas on the Radio, which ended its three-year run on May 31, 2009, aired on 200 stations nationwide each weekend and syndicated by theClear Channel–ownedPremiere Radio Networks. During that period, Costas also served as the imaging voice of Clear Channel–ownedKLOU inSt. Louis, Missouri, during that station's period as "My 103.3".[80] LikeLater, Costas's radio shows have focused on a wide variety of topics and have not been limited to sports discussion.
Later with Bob Costas aired onNBC from 1988 to 1994. Costas decided to leaveLater after six seasons, having grown tired of the commute to New York City from his home in St. Louis and wishing to lighten his workload in order to spend more time with his family. He also turned down an offer fromDavid Letterman, who moved toCBS in 1995, to follow him there and become the first host ofThe Late Late Show, which was being developed by Letterman's company to air at 12:30 after theLate Show with David Letterman.[81]
In June 2005, Costas was named byCNN presidentJonathan Klein as a regular substitute anchor forLarry King'sLarry King Live for one year. Costas, as well as Klein, made clear that Costas was not trying out for King's position on a permanent basis.Nancy Grace was also named a regular substitute host for the show.[82] On August 18, 2005, Costas refused to host aLarry King Live broadcast where the subject wasmissing teenager Natalee Holloway. Costas said that because there were no new developments in the story, he felt it had no news value, and he was uncomfortable with television's drift in the direction of tabloid-type stories.[83]
Beginning in October 2011, Costas was a correspondent forRock Center with Brian Williams. He gained acclaim for his November 2011 live interview of formerPennsylvania State University assistant coachJerry Sandusky concerningcharges of sexual abuse of minors, in which Sandusky called in to deny the charges.[84]
Costas hosted a monthly talk showCostas Tonight onNBC Sports Network.[85]
In 2001, Costas was hired byHBO to host a 12-week series calledOn the Record with Bob Costas.[86]
In2002, Costas began a stint as co-host of HBO's long-running seriesInside the NFL. Costas remained host ofInside the NFL through the end of the2007 NFL season. He hosted the show withCris Collinsworth and former NFL legendsDan Marino andCris Carter. The program aired each week during the NFL season.
Costas left HBO to sign withMLB Network in February 2009.
On April 23, 2021, it was announced that Costas would be returning to HBO to host a quarter-yearly interview show calledBack on the Record.[87]
At the channel's launch on January 1, 2009, Costas hosted the premiere episode ofAll Time Games, a presentation of the recently discoveredkinescope of Game 5 of the1956 World Series. During the episode, he held a forum withDon Larsen, who pitched MLB's only postseasonperfect game during that game, andYogi Berra, who caught the game.
Costas joined the network full-time on February 3, 2009. He hosted a regular interview show titledMLB Network Studio 42 with Bob Costas as well as special programming and provides play-by-play for select live baseball game telecasts.[88] In 2017, Costas called Game 1 of theAmerican League Division Series between theBoston Red Sox and theHouston Astros on MLB Network. The Astros went on to win 8–2. Costas and his color commentatorJim Kaat received criticism for their "bantering about minutia" and misidentification of plays. Costas also went on to become aninternet meme after using the term the "sacks were juiced" to describe the bases being loaded.[89]
As aforementioned, Costas hostedThursday Night Football on NBC andNFL Network in2016, having returned to broadcasting after a brief absence. He was replaced byLiam McHugh in 2017.
In July 2020, it was announced that Costas would joinCNN as a contributor.[90] According to CNN, Costas would provide commentary "on a wide range of sports-related issues as the industry adapts to new challenges posed by thecoronavirus and the frequent intersection of sports with larger societal issues." Costas, who would continue working on MLB Network, said of joining CNN: “CNN’s willingness to devote time and attention to sports related topics, makes it a good fit for me.”
On August 20, 2021,Andrew Marchand of theNew York Post reported thatTBS — a sister property via CNN parentWarnerMedia — was nearing an agreement with Costas which would have him hosting the network'sNational League Championship Series coverage.[91] On October 7, 2021,Turner Sports announced that Costas would be joining TBS for their postseason baseball coverage starting on October 16.[92][79]
As of the2022 MLB season, Costas provided play-by-play for TBS'sTuesday night baseball package during the regular season. He was the studio host for TBS'sALCS postseason coverage and also provided play-by-play for TBS'sALDS postseason coverage between theCleveland Guardians andNew York Yankees.[93][94] This marked the first time since the2000 ALCS onNBC that Costas provided play-by-play for a postseason baseball series in its entirety.[95]
Costas provided the play-by-play commentary on TBS for the2024 American League Division Series between theNew York Yankees andKansas City Royals, receiving criticism for his monotonic delivery and perceived lack of interest in the events on the field.[96][97] Following the series, Costas announced his retirement from calling MLB games.[98]
Costas provided significant contributions to theKen Burns,PBS miniseriesBaseball as well as its follow-upThe 10th Inning. He also appears in another PBS film,A Time for Champions, produced bySt. Louis'sNine Network of Public Media.[99]
June 23, 1984: Costas calledNBC'sGame of the Week withTony Kubek, whereRyne Sandberg hit two separate home runs in the 9th and 10th innings againstBruce Sutter to tie the game. This game is known as "The Sandberg Game".[100]
Costas's call of the first home run:
Into left center field, and deep.This is a tie ball game!
Costas's call of the second home run:
Costas: 1–1 pitch. [Sandberg swings]
Kubek: OHHHBOY!
Costas: [Over Kubek] And he hits it to deep left center! Look out!Do you believe it, it's gone! We will go to the 11th, tied at 11.
October 28, 1995: Costas called Game 6 of the1995 World Series, where theAtlanta Braves finally won their first ever World Series championship since moving to Atlanta in1966.
Left-center field,Grissom on the run. The team of the '90s has its World Championship![101]
October 26, 1997: Costas called Game 7 of the1997 World Series, whereÉdgar Rentería hit a walk off single to give theFlorida Marlins their first World Series championship. Costas's call:
The 0–1 pitch. A liner, offNagy's glove, into center field! The Florida Marlins, have won the World Series!
June 14, 1998: Costas calledGame 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals,Michael Jordan andPhil Jackson's final game with theChicago Bulls where Jordan hit a 20-foot jumpshot to put the Bulls up 87–86 with 5.2 seconds remaining. The Bulls would win the game by that score, giving them their sixth championship and third consecutive. Costas's call:
Jordan with 43. Malone is doubled. They swat at him and steal it! Here comes Chicago. 17 seconds. 17 seconds, from Game 7, or from championship #6. Jordan, open,CHICAGO WITH THE LEAD! Timeout Utah, 5.2 seconds left. Michael Jordan, running on fumes, with 45 points.
June 4, 2000: Costas called Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals forNBC's NBA coverage.Kobe Bryant threw analley oop pass toShaquille O'Neal to give the Lakers a six-point lead with 41.3 seconds remaining.[102] Costas's call of the play:
Portland has three timeouts left, the Lakers have two. Bryant ...TO SHAQ!
September 25, 2014: Costas calledDerek Jeter's final game atYankee Stadium forMLB Network, where he hit an RBI single to win the game. Costas's call:
A base hit to right! Here comes Richardson, they're waving him home! The throw, it's close but he scores! On a walk off hit by Derek Jeter!
Costas is a devoted baseball fan. He's been suggested as a potentialcommissioner and wroteFair Ball: A Fan's Case for Baseball in2000. For his 40th birthday, thenOakland Athletics managerTony La Russa allowed Costas to manage the club during a spring training game. The first time Costas visited baseball legendStan Musial's St. Louis eatery, he left a $3.31 tip on a ten dollar tab in homage to Musial's lifetime batting average (.331). Costas delivered the eulogy atMickey Mantle's funeral. In eulogizing Mantle, Costas described the baseball legend as"a fragile hero to whom we had an emotional attachment so strong and lasting that it defied logic". Costas has even carried a1958 Mickey Mantlebaseball card in his wallet. Costas also delivered the eulogy for Musial after his death in early 2013.
Costas was outspoken about his disdain for Major League Baseball instituting a playoffwild card. Costas believed it diminishes the significance and drama of winning a divisional championship. He prefers a system in which winning the wild card puts a team at some sort of disadvantage, as opposed to an equal level with teams who outplayed them over a 162-game season. Or, as explained in his bookFair Ball, have only the three division winners in each league go to the postseason, with the team with the best record receiving a bye to the League Championship Series. Once, on the air onHBO'sInside the NFL, he mentioned that the NFL regular season counted for something, but baseball's was beginning to lose significance. With the advent of the second wild card, Costas has said he feels the format has improved, since there is now a greater premium placed on finishing first. He has suggested a further tweak: Make the wild card round a best two of three, instead of a single game, with all three games, if necessary, on the homefield of the wild card of the better record.[103] This wild card format would eventually be instituted into the postseason starting with the 2022 season.
He also has disdained theDesignated Hitter rule, saying baseball would be a better game without it.[104]
Costas serves as a member of the advisory board of theBaseball Assistance Team, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping former Major League, Minor League, and Negro league players through financial and medical difficulties.
Costas considers himself left of center but has said that he has voted for Republican candidates at times as well. On May 26, 2007, Costas discussed the presidency ofGeorge W. Bush on his radio show, stating he liked Bush personally, and had been optimistic about his presidency, but said the course of theIraq War, and other mis-steps have led him to conclude Bush's presidency had "tragically failed" and considered it "overwhelmingly evident, even if you're aconservativeRepublican, if you're honest about it, this is a failed administration."[105] The following summer, Costas interviewed Bush during the president's appearance at the2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.[106]
 | This"criticism" or "controversy" sectionmay compromise the article'sneutrality. Please helpintegrate negative information into other sections or removeundue focus on minor aspects throughdiscussion on thetalk page.(April 2025) |
On August 1, 1996, the night ofMichael Johnson's 200 m Olympic win, Costas stated on-air duringOlympics coverage of the1996 Olympics that Johnson's gold-medal performance in the 200 m (19.32 seconds) was faster thanDonovan Bailey's 100 m performance (9.84 seconds) five days earlier in that 19.32 divided by two is 9.66.[107][108] Bailey later dismissed Costas's comments as "a person who knew nothing about track talking about it with a lot of people listening"; nonetheless, the sportscaster's remarks touched a nerve.[109]
The unofficial "world's fastest man" title typically goes to theOlympic 100 metre champion.[109]The 200 metre time almost always yields a "faster" average speed than a 100-metre race time, since the initial slow speed at the start is spread out over the longer distance.[110] In other words, the second 100 metres is run with a "flying start", without the slow acceleration phase of the first 100 metres and without the greater than 0.10 s reaction time of the start.[107] In fact, each 200 metre gold medalist from 1968, when fully electronic timing was introduced, to 1996 had a "faster" average speed at the Olympics, save one, yet there had been no controversy over the title of "world's fastest man" previously, until Bob Costas's remarks during the 1996 Olympics.[107]
Amid continuous verbal sparring between the pair of athletes, this led to an unsanctioned150-metre race between Bailey and Johnson in Toronto, which Bailey won.[109]
During a segment on theSunday Night Football halftime show on December 2, 2012, Costas paraphrasedFox Sports columnistJason Whitlock in regard toJovan Belcher's murder-suicide the day prior, saying the United States' gun culture was causing moredomestic disputes to result in death, and that it was likely Belcher and his girlfriend would not have died had he not possessed a gun.[111]
Critics interpreted his remarks as support forgun control. Many (including former Republican presidential candidatesMike Huckabee andHerman Cain)[112] felt Costas should not have used a program typically viewed as entertainment to publicize political views on sensitive topics.Lou Dobbs criticized his remarks for supporting the abolition of theSecond Amendment by quoting asports writer, whileAndrew Levy remarked that he had been given a civics lecture by someone who had "gotten rich thanks in part to a sport that destroys men's bodies and brains".[113] However, reporterErik Wemple ofThe Washington Post praised Costas for speaking out for gun control on the broadcast, commenting that the incident's connection to the NFL provided him with an obligation to acknowledge the incident during the halftime show, stating that "the things that [NFL players] do affect the public beyond whether their teams cover the point spread. And few cases better exemplify that dynamic as powerfully as the Belcher incident."[114]
During the following week, Costas defended his remarks in an appearance onMSNBC's programThe Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, where he said the remarks were related to the country's gun culture, and not about gun control as critics had inferred. Costas did suggest that more regulation be placed on America's gun culture:[112]
Now, do I believe that we need more comprehensive and more sensible gun control legislation? Yes I do. That doesn't mean repeal the Second Amendment. That doesn't mean a prohibition on someone having a gun to protect their home and their family. It means sensible and more comprehensive gun control legislation. But even if you had that, you would still have the problem of what Jason Whitlock wrote about, and what I agree with. And that is a gun culture in this country.[112]
During his coverage of the2014 Winter Olympics, Costas was criticized by some conservative members of the media, includingMichelle Malkin andGlenn Beck, for allegedly praising Russian presidentVladimir Putin's role in defusing tensions surroundingSyria andIran.[115] Other conservative media commentators, includingBill O'Reilly andBernard Goldberg, defended Costas's remarks as factually correct and pointed out that Costas had also voiced considerable criticism of both Russia and Putin while broadcasting fromSochi. During an interview onFox News, Goldberg said "... the idea that Costas somehow portrayed Vladimir Putin as a benign figure is ridiculous."[116][117] Costas defended himself on O'Reilly's broadcast on March 3, reiterating that he criticized Putin immediately preceding and following the statements that were questioned. O'Reilly then aired a portion of an Olympic commentary in which Costas was pointedly critical of the Russian leader. Costas also indicated that SenatorJohn McCain, who had been among those who had initially criticized Costas, had called Costas to apologize after hearing the full segment in context.[118]
While visiting theUniversity of Maryland in November 2017 for a roundtable discussion on various sports topics, Costas said the sport of football was in a decline, with evidence mounting that the repetition ofconcussions "destroys people's brains" and he would not allow a son with athletic talent to play it.[119] Costas had been scheduled to workSuper Bowl LII, his eighth as a host (despite stepping down fromFootball Night in America in favor of his successor Mike Tirico, Costas was to return while Tirico prepped to lead NBC's coverage of the2018 Winter Olympics, set to begin a few days later). However, NBC announced shortly before the game thatLiam McHugh would instead joinDan Patrick as a co-host, leading to speculation that NBC removed Costas from the NFL's biggest game over his comments. Costas originally denied such, saying it made more sense for McHugh, who had been hostingThursday night games on NBC, to serve in that capacity.[120] However, he later admitted in an interview withESPN'sOutside the Lines that the comments were indeed the basis of his removal, ultimately resulting in his departure from the network after forty years.[121]
Costas was married from 1983 to 2001 to Carole "Randy" Randall Krummenacher. They had two children, son Keith (born 1986) and daughter Taylor (born 1989). Costas once jokingly promisedMinnesota Twins center fielderKirby Puckett that, if he was batting over .350 by the time his child was born, he would name the baby Kirby. Kirby was hitting better than .350, but Bob's son initially was not given a first (or second) name of Kirby. After Puckett reminded Costas of the agreement, the birth certificate was changed to "Keith Michael Kirby Costas".[122]
On March 12, 2004, Costas married his second wife, Jill Sutton. Costas and his wife now reside primarily inNewport Beach, California. Although Costas was born and raised in the New York area, he has often said he thinks of St. Louis as his hometown.[123]
Costas's children have also won Sports Emmys: Keith has won two as anassociate producer on MLB Network'sMLB Tonight,[124][125] and Taylor as an associate producer on NBC's coverage of the2012 Summer Olympics.[125]
In 1994, Costas appeared as the play-by-play announcer for theWorld Series (working alongsideTim McCarver) in the movieThe Scout. In 1998, he appeared as himself along with his rival/counterpartAl Michaels fromABC in the movieBASEketball. Costas voiced an animated car version of himself named Bob Cutlass in the moviesCars (2006) andCars 3 (2017).[131] He also appeared as himself in the 2001 moviePootie Tang, where he remarks that he saw "the longest damn clip ever".
Costas's voice appeared in the 2011 documentary filmLegendary: When Baseball Came to the Bluegrass, which detailed the humble beginnings of the Lexington Legends, a minor league baseball team located in Lexington, Kentucky.
In 2021, Costas played himself inHere Today directed byBilly Crystal.[132]
Costas has been alluded to several times in popular music. The songs "Mafioso" byMac Dre, "We Major" byDomo Genesis and "The Last Huzzah" byMr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, all refer to Costas. He was also mentioned in aLudacris song after Costas mentioned the rapper on the late night talk showLast Call with Carson Daly.
In June 2013, Costas provided the voice of God in theMonty Python musicalSpamalot atThe Muny Repertory in St. Louis.
Apart from his normal sportscasting duties, Costas has also presented periodic sports blooper reels, and announced dogsled and elevator races, onLate Night with David Letterman.
In 1985, Costas appeared onThe War to Settle the Score, a pre-WrestleMania program thatthe World Wrestling Federation aired onMTV.
In 1993, Costas hosted the "pregame" show for thefinal episode ofCheers. Costas once appeared on the television programNewsRadio as himself. He hosted an award show and later had some humorous encounters with the crew of WNYX. He also had a recurring guest role as himself on the HBO seriesArli$$.
Costas has been impersonated several times byDarrell Hammond onSaturday Night Live.[133] Costas was "supposed" to appear in the fourth-season premiere ofCelebrity Deathmatch (ironically titled "Where is Bob Costas?") as a guest-commentator, but about halfway through the episode it was revealed thatJohn Tesh had killed him before the show to take his place. This was likely in response for Tesh not being invited back to NBC for its gymnastics coverage at the 2000 Olympics.
In 1999, Costas appeared as a guest onSpace Ghost Coast to Coast during itssixth season.
On June 13, 2008, Costas appeared onMSNBC's commercial-free special coverage ofRememberingTim Russert (1950–2008).[134]
On January 30, 2009, Costas guest-starred as himself on the television seriesMonk in an episode titled "Mr. Monk Makes the Playoffs"'. He mentions toCaptain Stottlemeyer about howAdrian Monk once helped him out of a problem several years ago with regards to a demented cat salesman. He apparently sold Costas a cat that allegedly tried to kill him with a squeeze toy. (In fact when he signs off he says, "The cat was definitely trying to kill me.")
Costas guest-voiced as himself in 2010Simpsons episode, "Boy Meets Curl", whenHomer andMarge make the U.S. Olympic curling team. Costas also guest-voiced as himself on theFamily Guy episode "Turban Cowboy" in an interview withPeter after he wins theBoston Marathon by hitting everyone with his car.
On February 11, 2010,Stephen Colbert jokingly expressed his desire to stab Costas with an ice pick at the upcoming2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver so Colbert could take over as host. Costas later made a cameo appearance on the February 25, 2010, edition of Colbert'sshow.
In January 2013, Costas appeared as himself in theGo On episode "Win at All Costas" withMatthew Perry, wherein Ryan King auditions with him for a TV show.
Real footage of Costas from NBC's pregame show before Game 5 of the1994 NBA Finals was used in the second episode ofThe People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
Costas appeared on the September 22, 2017, episode ofReal Time with Bill Maher to discuss issues such asconcussions and the role of political activism in professional sports (namely byColin Kaepernick).[135]
In2002, Costas was the play-by-play announcer, alongsideHarold Reynolds, forTriple Play 2002 during the ballgame forPlayStation 2 andXbox.[136]
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