Now in his third season calling Thursday Night Football games for Amazon Prime Video, legendary play-by-play broadcaster Al Michaels has faced some criticism for a lack of energy at times on the microphone.
During an appearance on Thursday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Michaels directly addressed his critics.
"I don't scream the game at you. I don't holler the game at you," Michaels said. "Never have." ... You have to save it for the [big] moments."
Michaels then did an impression of the late Pat Summerall, who is known as one of the greatest broadcasters of all time despite his tendency to call the game rather monotone.
"If it's 4–2 [and you're yelling], where do you go for 102–101? Where do you go?" Michael said. "You've got to leave some room. CeeDee Lamb scores a touchdown. What am I supposed to do—scream my guts out?"
"I don't scream the game at you and I don't holler the game at you.. I never have
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 3, 2024
You have to save it for the moments and I'm telling the story of the game" ~ Al Michaels #PMSLive https://t.co/5fAcOwWKNu pic.twitter.com/1s4o3bPsre
In Week 2, many fans on social media were unhappy with Michaels's call of James Cook's first-quarter touchdown in the Buffalo Bills' 31–10 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 12. But it is worth noting that those critiques have quieted down in recent weeks.
"You've got to leave some room, like I say," Michaels said. "It's a 60-minute game. If you scream your guts out in the first three minutes, where are you going for the next 57?"
Michaels called two touchdowns in the first quarter of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' clash against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thursday night.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Al Michaels Defends Himself From Critics of His Lower-Energy Touchdown Calls.
