Al Michaels has had a tough year.
Calling games on Thursday night for Amazon Prime alongside Kirk Herbstreit, Michaels has not seen the best that the NFL world has to offer.
This Thursday, Michaels was in for another long night, with the Bears hosting the Panthers in Chicago. The teams entered the prime-time showdown a combined 3–14.
Before kickoff, fans were already commiserating with Michaels.
Al Michaels is going to have to sell two 1989 Mazda 323s tonight with 340,000 miles between them.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) November 9, 2023
Good luck, sir.
Without even a draft pick position at stake this might be the most boring TNF matchup ever. It's actually possible Al Michaels falls asleep before the end of regulation.
— Riley McAtee (@RileyMcAtee) November 10, 2023
Oo, boy. Bears-Panthers is going to really test 2023 Al Michaels.
— Tyler Dunne (@TyDunne) November 10, 2023
But out of the darkness, a hero emerged. His name? Jason Kelce.
The Eagles center joined Michaels and Herbstreit in the booth during the second quarter, and quickly gave Michaels something to do other than watch the football game in front of him. Fans took notice.
Al Michaels hasn’t looked this happy since he got the TNF job.
— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) November 10, 2023
It’s the Jason Kelce effect. pic.twitter.com/mfFV6hQkIj
Al Michaels is basically just doing a podcast with Jason Kelce and almost seems annoyed that TNF is interrupting it
— Liz Finnegan (@TheGingerarchy) November 10, 2023
Happiest I’ve seen Al Michaels in 2 years https://t.co/jsjwvOI86w
— Patrick (@bankboy24) November 10, 2023
Al Michael's looks more excited just talking to Jason than watching the game & I don't blame him at all https://t.co/thg5tNAMot
— Fields is still H1M 🐻⬇️ (@baddiesecrhea) November 10, 2023
Meanwhile on the field, the game continued to disappoint. The Bears and Panthers managed just one touchdown between them in the first half, and it didn’t even come from one of their offenses.
Panthers special teamer Ihmir Smith-Marsette broke free on a punt return, managing the only touchdown of the game through two quarters.
