Al Michaels urged to 'retire ASAP' as Amazon Prime viewers in agreement
Al Michaels urged to 'retire ASAP' as Amazon Prime viewers in agreement
Jeremy Goldstein Fri, October 9, 2026 at 7:46 AM UTC
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Al Michaels is one of the NFL's most iconic broadcasters (Image: Gilbert Flores, Variety via Getty Images)
Al Michaels has returned for a fifth season on Amazon Prime Video's coverage of Thursday Night Football alongside color commentator Kirk Herbstreit.
Michaels, 81, has been criticized for appearing drowsy and lacking energy in nearly every primetime game over the past few years. This occurred again this week during his broadcast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Dallas Cowboys matchup, with fans making their feelings clear on Jalon Daniels becoming Tampa Bay's starter following Baker Mayfield's injury.
Michaels' call of Cowboys running back Javonte Williams' first-quarter touchdown - "William, looking for his seventh touchdown of the season, and he's in there," Michaels said in a monotone voice - prompted demands across social media for him to step down.
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"Al Michaels needs to retire ASAP," one wrote.
"Al Michaels puts me to sleep," another tweeted, this one under the NFL's post of the touchdown.
Michaels has faced criticism (Image: Getty Images)
"Can we have an ounce of enthusiasm, Al?" a different viewer asked.
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Michaels wasn't noticeably more animated on the second score, a touchdown reception for Bucky Irving off a Jalon Daniels pass. "Godwin wide to the right. A little floater that's taken there, to the endzone. Yes, Irving, for the touchdown," he called.
"Is it my imagination or has Al Michaels not really been interested in the NFL for about 10 years lol," one viewer said.
"Al Michaels absolutely hates his job," another said.
The Amazon commentator was also criticized for his repeated mistakes. "Hey, Al Michaels, I know you're sleepy, but that wasn't a three-and-out," several users pointed out regarding a second-quarter Cowboys series, one in which the team did pick up a first down earlier in the drive.
Michaels works with Amazon on a year-to-year basis, with his 2026 deal paying him approximately $1 million per game across 15 weeks. He initially signed on in 2022 with a three-year contract worth $15 million per season.
The veteran broadcaster has had an extensive career across the media landscape, having served as a play-by-play commentator at ABC, where he famously called the Miracle on Ice in 1980, as well as CBS and NBC. Michaels partnered with Cris Collinsworth in the Sunday Night Football booth from 2009 to 2022.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
