NFL fans reacted to Al Michaels’ hilariously frank description of a bizarre punt by the Cleveland Browns.
On Thursday Night Football, the Browns hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers as Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston went head-to-head on a freezing Ohio evening. As both franchises failed to score on the opening few possessions in the AFC North showdown, Michaels was confused following the Browns’ punt.
In windy conditions with the snow falling, Cleveland punter Corey Bojorquez trotted out onto the field to punt the ball back to the Steelers from Pittsburgh’s 46-yard line. However, Bojorquez failed to catch the ball fully and the punt went just 12 yards.
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“What was that?” an incredulous Michaels exclaimed on Prime. “What kind of punt was that? Whatever that was… Did the wind move it as he dropped it?”
Fans immediately took to social media to post their response to Michaels’ reaction. One fan wrote: “Al Michaels… ‘WHAT IS THAT?’ LMAO.” Another highlighted the criticism the iconic announcer has received this season, writing: “Yes, the energy level sometimes dips at inopportune moments, but it’s frankly shocking how good Al Michaels still is at this.”
However, one fan admitted frustration still lingers over Michaels’ style. The fan posted: “It’s a shame listening to Al Michaels call games now. He was my favorite for so long. Guy is just asleep more than half of the time. Time to hang it up old man.”
Other fans posted about how Michaels appeared to jinx Steelers kicker Chris Boswell. Earlier that game, Michaels outlined how Boswell, who made all six field goal attempts as Pittsburgh defeated the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, has missed just one field goal all season only for him to fire a wayward attempt in the first quarter.
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Michaels has worked in sports television since 1971 and has been calling NFL games since 1986. The 80-year-old was the voice of “Monday Night Football” on ABC from 1986 to 2005, and switched to NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” in 2006.
In 2021, Michaels stepped aside but then decided to join Amazon Prime Video after the streaming giant secured an exclusive 10-year rights deal with the NFL to broadcast “Thursday Night Football” from 2023. Fans began criticizing Michaels last season, but calls for his retirement have gained momentum as he seemingly stumbles through games. Michaels is aware of the narrative surrounding his play-calling, and appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” to defend himself last month.
“It’s a 60-minute game,” Michaels said. “If you scream your guts out in the first five minutes, where are you going to go? I don’t scream the game at you, I don’t holler the game at you. You look at Joe Buck and Jim Nantz and myself, we did like 17 of the last 18 Super Bowls, we don’t scream the game at you, we don’t holler the game at you.”
Michaels later added: “There’s an appreciation of what you do as your career moves on. My mindset always is that you’ve gotta be as good tonight as you’ve ever been. I know that this isn’t gonna last forever and I’m trying to get as much enjoyment out of it as I can.”
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