10 Questions with ... Howard David

NAME:Howard David TITLE:Sportscaster/Talk Show Host STATION:Freelance, Currently Fill-In At Sporting News Radio; Play-By-Play for Sports USA Radio Network

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Play-by-play voice for New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, New Jersey Nets, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Cosmos. CBS Radio Monday Night Football/Sunday Night Football play-by-play. Host, WQAM/Miami. For the past 3 seasons, he has served as the Play-by-Play voice of Sports USA Radio Network based in Simi Valley, California. He has just completed his 20th year calling NFL games.

1. How did you get started in broadcasting?

Began as a disc jockey in Armed Forces Radio and TV while serving in the U.S. Air Force: "Good Morning Tripoli" at Wheelus Air Base in Libya.

2. About what are you most passionate these days?

What has happened to young broadcasters that think that louder is better?

3. You've done play-by-play of a massive number of events -- what was the most memorable?

My first Super Bowl, January 26, 1997 in New Orleans, Green Bay vs New England. I remember going into an empty booth, two hours before the game to collect my thoughts. My first national radio Super Bowl on CBS. I just sat there thinking about what was going to happen when the door opened and the Commissioner, Paul Tagliabue, walked in. It was his box.

4. In the years you've been covering sports, what have been the most important changes overall, for the good and for the worse?

It's mostly good. The bad? What I stated in my 2nd answer about loud and hysterical announcers.

5. There are several different approaches a host can take to doing sports talk -- fan advocate, rabble rouser, cynic, reporter, and more. How do you approach the role? What's Howard David like as a sports talk host?

Rick Pitino said it best in Boston: "Sports Talk listeners are the fellowship of the miserable."

I love the interview part of Sports Talk. I love talking to the newsmakers. I love talking to listeners who have something to contribute.

6. Who were your best and worst interview subjects?

There is no worst. I learned from all. Among the best? Bob Costas, Chuck Daly, Michael Jordan, Bill Parcells, Pat Riley, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. My one regret is that I never interviewed Jackie Robinson, who was my hero growing up in Brooklyn.

7. Who are your influences?

Early on I would say Ray Scott, Merle Harmon, Vince Scully and Curt Gowdy.

8. You've done basketball, football, soccer, even poker... what's your favorite sport to broadcast and why?

Football without question. I've been doing it the longest and love the passion of the game. The game is still played at a high level on both the pro and college gridiron.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________.

...my wife, who is my best friend, closest confidant, and best advisor.

10. What's the best advice you ever got?

A British journalist named Clive Toye, who later became President of the NY Cosmos Soccer team, during Pele's time in America -- he told me and my colleague, Jim Karvellas, before our first telecast in New York in 1976. "Just don't screw it up."