Disgruntled NFL fans want Al Michaels to retire after his first assignment for Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” program.
Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit kicked off their fourth season together on the ‘TNF’ broadcast booth last night for a highly anticipated showdown between the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers.
The Packers went on to win 27-18 in a sloppy game in which Washington lost defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. and running back Austin Ekeler to injuries. The latter suffered a torn achilles and has been ruled ou for the seaosn.
While many longtime sports fans will never get tired of Michaels’ legendary voice, some frustrated viewers called for him to call it a career ASAP.
“I really dislike Al Michaels. Every time he calls a Washington game, it’s so obvious that he doesn’t like the Commanders. It’s time for him to be replaced!” one fan said.
“al michaels is by far the most overrated bloviator calling professional sports,” said another.
“I can’t stand Al Michaels?” a user wrote.
“Somebody tell Al Michaels this isn’t baseball. We don’t have ‘umps’ out here,” a fan wrote.
“This gotta be the last season of Al michaels and Kirk herbstreit right @NFL @amazon NFL,” said a user.
“Al Michaels needs to be fired. He has no care for the game or apparently for some of the best players to have played recently. Give the mic to someone who actually enjoys football,” wrote another.
Per Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, Michaels’ initial three-year deal with Prime Video expired last year, but the legendary announcer is on a “year-by-year” basis now. Michaels turns 81 on Nov. 12.
Michaels moved over to Prime Video after a 15-year run at NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” program (2006 to 2021). Michaels worked with the late John Madden for three years before the latter retired in 2009, with Cris Collinsworth taking over as the new ‘SNF’ analyst.
Herbstreit and Michaels will also call a Wild Card Round game for Prime Video in January.
