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NFL fans believe that the iconic Al Michaels will leave the world of broadcasting after his play-by-play performance in Week 9.
The 79-year-old Michaels was alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit as the two were on the call of Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football broadcast of the New York Jets’ 21-13 win over the Houston Texans.
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Michaels has been criticized this season for his enthusiastic calls.
The veteran broadcaster also hasn’t been afraid to mock teams playing in the primetime game throughout the season.
And Michaels didn’t waste time poking fun at the Jets’ struggles.
The NFL team had five losses in a row heading into the home game and Michaels called out the Jets for wearing all-black for the contest.
“The Jets, in a moment of darkness, as they say, choose to wear black tonight on top of it all,” Michaels said during the first quarter.
NFL fans were up in arms over Michaels’ comments, with some even sharing that he could retire in the future after, once again, providing negative commentary on a team that Amazon has signed off on broadcasting in a game.
“Al Michaels need to retire and he will,” one wrote.
“[Michaels is a ] senile old man. Just awful,” another said.
“Im sorry but Al Michaels needs to retire. We need someone calling games that has enthusiasm with calls,” a third added.
Michaels and Herbstreit also noted how the last time the Jets were on TNF, the team crushed the New England Patriots and was over .500.
But things have changed as the Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh and entered Thursday’s game with a winless streak under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.
“It’s Halloween night. If you’re a Jets fan, you have seen this horror movie before. 2-1, a promising start, now they’ve lose five in a row. All manners of losing,” Michaels said.
“This is a team that Aaron Rodgers, in our meeting the other day, is still very optimistic [about].
“He’s laying out a plan where he thinks they can run the table.
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“And wind up with 11 wins — good luck. Optimism is one thing, reality is another.”
Michaels then tore apart the Jets after wide receiver Malachi Corley dropped the football before reaching the goaline in the second quarter, costing him a touchdown.
“The way they’ve lost these five games, in every manner. Now you got this. That’s something new,” he said after the stunning play.
Still, the Jets were able to win after a brutal first half.
Michaels and Herbstreit will be on the call of the Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals TNF matchup in Week 10.
