The Big Interview with Dan Rather Season 8 Episode 16 Bob Costas

In this episode of The Big Interview with Dan Rather, veteran sports journalist Bob Costas sits down with the renowned news anchor to discuss his life and career. Costas is widely regarded as one of the most respected and trusted voices in sports journalism, having covered numerous Olympic games, World Series, and Super Bowls over the course of his more than 40-year career.

Throughout the interview, Costas reflects on some of his most memorable moments as a sports broadcaster, including the time he interviewed Muhammad Ali after his fight with George Foreman in Zaire. He also talks about his experiences covering the Olympics, including his controversial comments about the IOC's decision to allow professional basketball players to compete in the Games.

Costas speaks about his love of baseball, which he began playing as a child growing up in New York City. He recalls some of his favorite memories from his years as a broadcaster for MLB games, including the magical home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa in 1998.

Despite his long and illustrious career, Costas isn't afraid to admit when he's made mistakes. He talks about some of the criticisms he's faced over the years, including accusations of bias and a backlash over his anti-football comments.

As the interview comes to a close, Costas shares his thoughts on the current state of sports journalism and the role of sports in society. He discusses the importance of journalists remaining objective in their reporting and the challenges of covering controversial topics like athlete activism and domestic violence.

Throughout the episode, Rather and Costas display a genuine fondness for each other, and their conversation is peppered with lighthearted banter and warm reminiscences. Fans of sports journalism and sports history will find plenty to enjoy in this insightful, wide-ranging interview with one of the most respected and accomplished broadcasters of our time.