One of the more entertaining quirks about Al Michaels, the iconic sports broadcaster, is his well-known and adamant refusal to eat vegetables—a fact that sparked laughter once again during Thursday night’s Vikings-Rams game. The amusing reminder came in the second quarter of the Rams’ 30-20 victory over the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
During a break, Amazon’s broadcast showed footage from Toscana, a popular Italian restaurant in Brentwood where Michaels is a regular. This led to a comedic on-screen graphic detailing Michaels’ “career stats” at the restaurant.
The stats included the number of visits Michaels has allegedly made to Toscana—4,121 times—and his choice of meal: a staggering 3,672 steaks consumed. Predictably, his count for “veggies consumed” read a proud and resolute zero.
Michaels, who is more than happy to own his veggie-free diet, couldn’t resist commenting on the statistic. “No veggies, baby, no veggies. You know that,” he said with a grin, reinforcing his lifelong preference.
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Michaels’ distaste for vegetables has become legendary, particularly after his broadcasting partner, Kirk Herbstreit, shared last year that Michaels maintains a unique halftime ritual involving a gourmet meal.
However, should a vegetable find its way onto his plate, it’s promptly rejected. Michaels has even been known to shun a perfectly good sandwich if it contains any greenery.
Now 79, Michaels has spent over five decades in broadcasting, covering some of the most memorable moments in sports history.
With a career and lifestyle many admire, it’s safe to say that Michaels’ aversion to veggies is here to stay. This long-standing habit has become a charming part of his legacy, and fans wouldn’t have it any other way.
