Howard Cosell

( Mel DiGiacomo / ABC )

Sports commentator Howard Cosell has gotten himself into trouble a few times. Back in 1983, while calling a play involving Alvin Garrett, a black wide receiver, he said "... that little monkey gets loose, doesn't he?" Cosell said the comment had no racial undertone and refused to apologize although he did issue a statement that read in part: "I respect and admire Alvin Garrett... When I talked of him I was bragging on him with affection and I used a word that I use endearingly with my own grandchildren when I play with them."