Al Michaels defends approach to game statement in the face of online criticism: 'I'm not yelling the game at you'

Al Michaels began broadcasting games in 1967, providing the soundtrack to some of the greatest moments in sports history.

The NFL and Amazon announced in March 2022 that Michaels would be the full-time play-by-play announcer for “Thursday Night Football” alongside Kirk Herbstreit.

The 79-year-old was asked about some of the criticism he has received online for not being excited enough during some of his recent broadcasts during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.”

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“Thursday Night Football” Amazon Prime play-by-play announcer Al Michaels during a game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. (Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports)

“I’m not yelling the game at you. I’m not yelling the game at you,” Michaels said.

“People go back and say, 'Oh, Pat Summerall was one of the greatest of all time,' and he said, remember how Pat made that game? 'Second and five. Lead of three.' Correct? He didn't blow you away, and I think if you look at Joe Buck and I, we've won 17 of the last 18 Super Bowls. We're not yelling at you about the game.

“But there are a lot of people all over the country. Look, it's a very diverse country of 330 million people, and there are some people who want you to say, 'Oh! It's 4-2 in the basketball game! Woah!' When it's 4-2, where do you go when it's 102-101? You have to leave some space. So what should I do? Michaels added.

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (left) speaks with NBC announcers Al Michaels (center) and Cris Collinsworth before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at AT&T Stadium. (Matthew Emmons/USA Today Sports)

Before joining Amazon, Michaels worked at NBC Sports since 2006 as a play-by-play announcer for “Sunday Night Football.”

Prior to joining NBC Sports, Michaels was with ABC Sports since 1977, playing in MLB, college football, NFL, hockey, college basketball, golf, the Kentucky Derby and other major events.

Michaels' most famous call came at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, when he called the “Miracle on Ice,” the surprise victory of the United States over the Soviet Union.

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Play-by-play announcer Al Michaels walks the sideline before a game between the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Caesars Superdome. (Matthew Hinton/USA Today Sports)

“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”

Michaels has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is a five-time Sports Emmy Award winner. And these are just a few of his achievements as well as countless other awards for his work as a broadcaster.

Michaels will be back in discussions with Herbstreit for Thursday night's Atlanta Falcons-Tampa Bay Buccaneers game.

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