Al Michaels made it clear during Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football broadcast that he’s no fan of penalty-heavy games. During the Dallas Cowboys’ 20-15 victory over the New York Giants, a total of 15 flags were thrown, much to the displeasure of the legendary sportscaster, who didn’t hesitate to voice his frustration throughout the night.
The constant interruptions during the game’s first half, where 12 penalties were called between the two teams, prompted Michaels to deliver one of his signature quips. “It looks like June 14 here, otherwise known as Flag Day,” Michaels remarked, highlighting just how much the game was being bogged down by penalties.
The slow pace caused by the officials’ frequent flag-throwing seemed to take a toll on Michaels, who repeatedly commented on the overabundance of calls. When the referees finally called their first penalty of the third quarter with 5:16 left on the clock, Michaels sarcastically noted, “Flag is down. Amazingly, the first of the quarter.”
His comments underscored the relief he seemed to feel during the brief stretch of uninterrupted football in the second half.
One of the more controversial moments came when officials threw a flag on Dallas’ first score, only to pick it up and allow the touchdown.
These kinds of calls, and then reversals, contributed to the stop-start nature of the game, frustrating both fans and broadcasters alike. For Michaels, who has long been a steady voice in the booth, the constant disruptions only served to detract from the action on the field.
Despite the flag-filled affair, the Cowboys managed to improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Giants fell to 1-3, struggling to find any offensive rhythm. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 281 yards but couldn’t get his team into the end zone, forcing the offense to rely solely on kicker Greg Joseph for all 15 of their points.
The game’s sluggish pace, dominated by yellow flags and official reviews, was a far cry from the fast-paced, high-energy football fans—and Michaels—are used to. As the broadcast wore on, Michaels’ disdain for the excessive penalties was palpable, adding a layer of commentary that mirrored the frustrations of many watching at home.
While the Cowboys celebrated their hard-fought victory, the night will likely be remembered less for the football and more for the continuous stream of penalties that tested the patience of everyone involved, especially Al Michaels.
