Amazon Prime play-by-play announcer Al Michaels faced significant backlash after a controversial comment he made during Thursday night’s broadcast of the Miami Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills. The comment was in response to Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffering the third documented concussion of his NFL career after a hard hit in the third quarter, which left him with a fencing response—a clear sign of head trauma.
Tagovailoa was injured during a collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, the same player who famously suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in January 2023. Tagovailoa, who had bulked up prior to the 2023 season but returned this year with a noticeably slimmer frame, led with his head instead of sliding to avoid the tackle. His head hit the Hard Rock Stadium turf hard, leaving him unable to return to the game.
During the broadcast, Michaels reacted to a sideline report from Kaylee Hartung, who confirmed that Tagovailoa would not return due to the concussion, by saying, “A little irony there, he got hit by Damar Hamlin. You know that history.”
The remark immediately sparked outrage on social media, with many NFL fans criticizing the 79-year-old announcer for what they perceived as an insensitive and unnecessary comment.
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Critics quickly took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express their displeasure. One user commented, “Except Damar is almost a bystander here, that’s barely a tackle. Tua lowered his head and shoulders instead of sliding for some unknown reason. So that felt truly unneeded from Al on many fronts.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with one fan noting, “I felt the Michaels comment unnecessary.” Another pointed out the misuse of the term irony, saying, “I think that’s coincidence, not irony.”
The backlash extended beyond the specific comment, with some suggesting that Michaels, who turns 80 in November, should consider retiring. “Al Michaels gotta retire after this year, man… He just does not have the juice anymore,” one user posted, while another added, “Al Michaels, you respectfully gotta call it quits. You will be remembered for making some of the most iconic calls, but your time is up.”
Some fans speculated that Michaels was intentionally trying to get out of calling Thursday night games, a gig that has drawn criticism in the past for less exciting matchups. “Al trying to get fired already so he doesn’t have to call another Thursday night football game,” one fan joked. Another added, “Al really mailing it in…”
Earlier in the game, Michaels had already drawn criticism for what some viewers perceived as a “low-energy” call of the Bills’ early touchdown, adding to the scrutiny around his performance. Many fans have expressed dissatisfaction with Michaels’ less enthusiastic approach in recent seasons, claiming his broadcasts have lacked the energy that once made him a beloved figure in the booth.
Michaels, a legendary voice in American sports broadcasting, has been with NBC since 2006 and has fronted Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football coverage since its inception in 2022. However, his tenure has not been without bumps. Last season, Michaels was left out of NBC’s NFL playoff coverage for the first time in 17 years, a decision that reportedly surprised him.
NBC opted to have its regular Sunday Night Football duo, Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, call three of the four playoff games, while Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge handled the fourth.
Despite these challenges, Michaels remains a prominent figure in NFL broadcasting, but his recent comments and perceived drop in energy have raised questions about whether it may be time for the veteran announcer to step away.
As he continues to front Amazon’s Thursday Night Football, fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on how he navigates the rest of the season amidst increasing scrutiny.
