Veteran NFL commentator Al Michaels has faced renewed calls to step away from Thursday Night Football after making an on-air mistake during the Baltimore Ravens’ Week 9 meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 81-year-old broadcaster, who was working alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit, incorrectly identified the year Trevor Lawrence was selected as the NFL’s first overall draft pick.
The incident attracted widespread attention on social media, with viewers questioning whether Michaels should continue in the commentary booth.
Michaels Gets Trevor Lawrence’s Draft Year Wrong
The mistake happened during Jacksonville’s opening offensive possession when Michaels introduced quarterback Trevor Lawrence as he prepared to take the field.
While discussing the Jaguars’ quarterback, the veteran commentator incorrectly claimed Lawrence was selected first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft.
“Back in 2001, Trevor Lawrence was your number one overall draft pick,” Michaels said during the broadcast.
Lawrence was actually selected first overall by the Jaguars in 2021, making the 20-year difference particularly noticeable to viewers.
A clip of the exchange quickly circulated on X, prompting a wave of reactions from NFL fans who criticised the broadcaster for the error.
NFL Fans Demand Michaels Retire
Several viewers took to social media to express their frustration, with some suggesting that Michaels should bring his long broadcasting career to an end.
One fan wrote: “He’s so washed plz retire and enjoy the rest of your life legend.”
Another user questioned why the veteran commentator was still working, writing: “Al should have retired 5 years ago. He’s bored.”
A third reaction read: “Yeah, it’s time to hang it up Al Michaels.”
The incident added to the growing scrutiny surrounding Michaels’ performances on Thursday Night Football, where he remains one of the leading voices on Amazon Prime Video’s NFL coverage.
Veteran Broadcaster Previously Addressed His Future
The latest criticism comes less than a month after Michaels discussed his broadcasting future during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show.
Asked how long he intended to remain in the commentary booth, the veteran broadcaster explained that the decision would depend on both his own assessment and the wishes of the network.
“Well, either the people that I work for will tell me, or I’ll know myself, a combination,” Michaels said.
He also praised his relationship with Amazon and Prime Video, describing the people he works with as having been “fantastic” to him.
Michaels explained that Amazon has checked with him at the end of each season over the past two years to determine whether he wants to return for another campaign.
He acknowledged that he would accept the decision if the network eventually decided to move in a different direction.
“If they come to me and say, you know, it’s time for us to move on.
You guys have been fantastic. You’ve been great,” he said.
The commentator added that he had spent 41 years covering the NFL and continued to enjoy the work, but recognised that there would eventually be a time to retire.
“If they feel it’s time, great. And if I feel it’s time, I’ll know it. And I’ll say, ‘You know what? Thanks for the memories,'” he added.
Michaels Delivers Lengthy Story During Jaguars Game
The draft-year mistake was not the only moment from the broadcast that attracted attention.
Later in the matchup, Michaels launched into an extended account of former Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin and the team’s history.
The monologue continued for nearly four minutes while the game was still in progress, drawing further attention from viewers.
When he eventually finished the story, Michaels acknowledged the lengthy commentary with a remark that quickly became another talking point.
“Anyway, there’s your bedtime story. Interrupted by an interception, but apart from that,” he said.
Amazon Prime Video subsequently played The Allman Brothers Band’s Ramblin’ Man as the broadcast headed into a break.
The extended commentary also circulated online, with viewers sharing clips of Michaels’ storytelling during the game.
Michaels Has More Than Five Decades in Sports Broadcasting
Michaels has been a prominent figure in American sports broadcasting since beginning his television career in 1971.
He became particularly famous for calling the United States’ victory over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics hockey tournament, an event widely remembered as the “Miracle on Ice.”
His NFL broadcasting career began on a national level in 1986 when he joined ABC’s Monday Night Football as a play-by-play commentator.
He moved to NBC in 2006 before joining Amazon Prime Video in 2022, following the platform’s acquisition of Thursday Night Football broadcasting rights.
Michaels remains part of Amazon’s NFL commentary team, with his future in the role continuing to attract attention as he approaches his 82nd birthday.
