What late columnist born in fort benning wrote very few people liked howard cosell but the point?

The late columnist you are thinking of is Red Smith.

Red Smith, a renowned sports columnist who was born in Fort Benning, Georgia, wrote an essay titled "The Point" which famously addressed the unpopularity of sportscaster Howard Cosell. He wrote, "Very few people like Howard Cosell, but the point is..." and went on to explain why he believed Cosell was important to the sports world, despite his abrasive personality.

Smith's essay, published in 1973, is a classic example of his insightful and thought-provoking writing style.