Honestly, it’s hard to imagine an NFL season without that voice. You know the one—smooth, slightly nasal, and carrying the weight of about sixty years of sports history in every syllable.
Al Michaels isn't just a sports announcer anymore; he's a living, breathing landmark. But as we navigate the 2026 season, the conversation around him has shifted from "How does he do it?" to "Should he still be doing it?"
It's a complicated spot to be in. On one hand, you have a guy who has called everything from the Miracle on Ice to an earthquake-interrupted World Series. On the other, social media is currently a relentless stream of fans complaining that he sounds "bored" or "behind the play" during Thursday Night Football on Amazon Prime.
The gap between the legend and the current reality is getting wider, yet Amazon just confirmed he’s coming back for the 2026 season. He'll be 81. Or 82 by the time the playoffs roll around. That’s wild.
The Miracle on Ice and the Birth of a Giant
Most people know the "Do you believe in miracles?" line. It’s arguably the most famous call in the history of American sports. But what’s kinda forgotten is how Al Michaels even got that assignment at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.
He was essentially the only person at ABC who had ever called a hockey game before. He’d done exactly one—eight years prior in Sapporo.
When the U.S. amateur kids took down the Soviet machine, Michaels wasn't reading from a script. He later admitted he was just trying to find the right word. "Miraculous" popped into his head, and he morphed it into a question.
"Do you believe in miracles? YES!"
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That moment didn't just define a game; it defined a career. It proved Michaels had the "it" factor—the ability to meet a massive moment without over-hyping it or getting in the way. He let the crowd noise breathe. He knew when to shut up. That’s a lost art.
The NFL Years: From Monday Nights to Streaming
If you grew up in the 90s or 2000s, Al Michaels was the soundtrack to your Monday nights. He spent 20 years on ABC’s Monday Night Football, often alongside the legendary John Madden. That duo was the gold standard.
When he moved to NBC’s Sunday Night Football in 2006, it felt like the league itself was moving. He spent 16 seasons there, mostly with Cris Collinsworth. But then came the Amazon era.
The move to Prime Video in 2022 was a massive gamble. A $33 million contract for a three-year deal. It signaled that streaming had truly arrived. But it also put Michaels in a weird position. Thursday night games are notoriously... well, they can be "clunkers."
The Criticism: Has the Fastball Faded?
Let's be real for a second. The criticism lately has been loud. During a late 2025 matchup between the Rams and Seahawks, Michaels' call on a game-winning touchdown was so flat that fans on X (formerly Twitter) thought there must have been a flag on the play.
There wasn't. He just didn't scream.
Is he "washed," as the internet loves to say? Or is he just old-school?
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Michaels has always been a bit stoic. He’s not a "screamer" like Gus Johnson. He’s a storyteller. But in 2026, the demand for high-energy, "YouTube-clip-ready" commentary is at an all-time high. When he misses a goal-line call or sounds disengaged during a blowout, it sticks out.
Yet, he doesn't seem to care. He told Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast that he feels great and still loves the work. He’s a guy who works with a "tremendous crew" and still gets a kick out of being at the stadium.
The Al Michaels Resume: By the Numbers
To understand why he's still there, you have to look at the sheer volume of what he’s done. He is the only broadcaster to have called:
- The Super Bowl (he’s done 11 of them)
- The World Series
- The NBA Finals
- The Stanley Cup Finals
He’s called eight World Series. He’s a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame. He has the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame. Basically, if there’s a trophy for talking about sports, it’s on his mantle.
Why He’s Still the "Pro's Pro"
Despite the flak he takes for his lack of energy, there’s a reason Amazon and the NFL keep him around. It’s credibility.
When Al Michaels introduces a game, it feels like a "Big Game." There is a gravitas there that you can't manufacture with a 30-year-old announcer who yells too much. He knows the history. He knows the gambling lines (he’s famous for his subtle "wink-and-a-nod" references to the over/under).
He’s also incredibly prepared. His former partner Frank Gifford once said he never saw Michaels do anything he wasn't prepared for. That "studied" approach is why he survived the earthquake during Game 3 of the 1989 World Series. While the stadium was literally falling apart, Michaels shifted into news-reporter mode without missing a beat.
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What to Expect from Al Michaels in 2026
So, what’s the move for fans this season?
If you’re looking for a broadcaster who is going to lose their mind over a 4-yard run in the first quarter, Al Michaels isn't your guy. He never was.
But if you want someone who treats the game with a certain level of sophisticated detachment—someone who knows exactly when a kicker is "due" or when a coach is making a massive clock-management blunder—he’s still the best at it.
The Reality Check:
- He's working on a year-to-year basis.
- His contract with Amazon is essentially a "if you want to, we want you" situation.
- He still has the "fastball" for big moments, even if the "changeup" feels a bit slow during mid-season blowouts.
Actionable Takeaways for Sports Fans
If you want to appreciate the final years of a legend, here is how to "watch" an Al Michaels game in 2026:
- Listen for the Subtext: Michaels is the king of the "unsaid." When a game is bad, he’ll let you know with a dry, sarcastic remark. It’s hilarious if you’re paying attention.
- Watch the Betting Cues: He still drops hints about the spread and the total. It’s a fun game-within-the-game.
- Appreciate the Silence: Notice how he doesn't talk over the crowd after a big play. He lets the atmosphere tell the story. That is veteran poise.
Al Michaels is the last of a breed. When he finally hangs it up—whether that’s after this season or five years from now—the era of the "universal" sports voice will likely be over. We’ll be left with specialized streamers and local homers.
So, next time Thursday Night Football kicks off, maybe cut the guy some slack. He's been the voice of our best memories for forty years.
Next Steps for the Super-Fan:
- Watch the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" highlights again, but pay attention to the timing of his calls.
- Check out his memoir, You Can't Make This Up, for some of the best behind-the-scenes stories in broadcasting history.
- Follow the 2026 NFL schedule to see which "legacy" games he gets to call—those are usually where he shines the brightest.