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78-year-old Al Michaels is firing back at criticism from fans and vows to come back for at least another season.
For most of the season, fans have complained about Michaels’ lackluster calls during Thursday Night Football games.
During an interview with the NY Post’s Andrew Marchand, Michaels seems confused by the criticism because he believes he sounds the same as he always has.
“I don’t think I’m a lot different than I have been through the years,” Michaels said. “And if people you know want to say that, ‘Al doesn’t sound as excited.’ Hold on a second, folks. I’m doing the same game I’ve always done.”
“I like to build drama,” Michaels said. “We’re doing television. We’re not doing radio. And you’ve heard me, for years and years and years and it is just as simple as that: You build the drama, and the pictures tell the story.”
Michaels, who signed a three-year contract reportedly worth between $500k-$1 million per game with Amazon in 2022, plans to return next season to fulfill his contract.
“As far as I’m concerned, I’m doing next year,” Michaels said. “There’s no question about that in my mind.”
“No, I mean, Keith Jackson had one of those things and came back and did it another seven years,”
“No, no, no, no, no,” Michaels said. “Look when I’m done. It’s the way John Madden was done. Two words and a contraction: ‘It’s time.’ I don’t need any parade or that nonsense.”
It’ll be interesting to see if Amazon chooses to have Michaels return considering how much criticism he’s received this season.