It's kind of ironic that the two sports with the greatest characters, boxing and horse racing, have both been on the decline. In both cases it's for the lack of a suitable hero.

Quote by Dick Schaap

Topics: Dick Schaap Quotes

I began learning the sportswriting business very early in life.

I began learning the sportswriting business very early in life.

I worked with Rocky Graziano and Rocky was certainly a character.

I worked with Rocky Graziano and Rocky was certainly a character.

I did not choose necessarily on the basis of significance. If you have a vote...

I did not choose necessarily on the basis of significance. If you have a vote...

I was also in love with the English language.

I was also in love with the English language.

Sugar Ray Robinson was at the top of the boxing world during the 1950's when...

Sugar Ray Robinson was at the top of the boxing world during the 1950's when...

I wanted to be a sportswriter because I loved sports and I could not hit...

I wanted to be a sportswriter because I loved sports and I could not hit...

Some people who love boxing might love Mike Tyson, but people outside of the sport...

Some people who love boxing might love Mike Tyson, but people outside of the sport...

I came up with new leads for game stories by being observant and clever, by...

I came up with new leads for game stories by being observant and clever, by...

Today, it's money. There's no question about that. Unless you endorse a grill that cooks...

Today, it's money. There's no question about that. Unless you endorse a grill that cooks...

Sugar Ray and talked about doing some articles together or writing a book together but...

Sugar Ray and talked about doing some articles together or writing a book together but...

Sportswriters have changed more than sportswriting.

Sportswriters have changed more than sportswriting.

I think my mistakes were kind of common - leaning on cliches and adjectives in...

I think my mistakes were kind of common - leaning on cliches and adjectives in...

In fifty years of covering the sport, of course Muhammad Ali is by far the...

In fifty years of covering the sport, of course Muhammad Ali is by far the...

I got to know Sugar Ray but I certainly would not say we were good...

I got to know Sugar Ray but I certainly would not say we were good...

My writing improved the more I wrote - and the more I read good writing,...

My writing improved the more I wrote - and the more I read good writing,...

My top three were Jim Brown, Wilt Chamberlain and Bo Jackson.

My top three were Jim Brown, Wilt Chamberlain and Bo Jackson.

I think on balance, Don King has been bad for boxing. I think he's done...

I think on balance, Don King has been bad for boxing. I think he's done...

If I got paid, it was no more than five dollars a column, and I...

If I got paid, it was no more than five dollars a column, and I...

All of journalism is a shrinking art. So much of it is hype. The O.J....

All of journalism is a shrinking art. So much of it is hype. The O.J....

I just can't believe all the things I did that decade.

I just can't believe all the things I did that decade.