Al Michaels Will Not Call Upcoming NFL Playoffs for NBC Sports amid Criticism Over His Energy

Michaels, 79, has been criticized over his lack of enthusiasm during broadcasts

Legendary sports broadcaster Al Michaels will not be calling this year’s NFL Playoffs for NBC Sports, PEOPLE confirms.

The New York Post first reported Tuesday that Michaels, 79, would be left off the broadcasting team amid growing criticism over his lack of enthusiasm while calling games. The Athletic also confirmed the news, reporting that the broadcaster — known for decades of historic calls, including the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” — would not be calling the NFL Playoffs.

Michaels has spent the last two seasons as the voice of Amazon Prime Video’s “Thursday Night Football” games, calling action during the regular season and playoffs alongside the likes of Kirk Herbstreit and Tony Dungy.

A source at NBC Sports confirmed with PEOPLE on Wednesday morning that Michaels would not be calling this year’s NFL Playoffs.

Criticism over the 79-year-old broadcaster’s enthusiasm began to mount during last year’s NFL Wild Card game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Chargers in what ended up being the third-largest comeback in league history.

Since then, Michaels has faced routine backlash over his energy during broadcasts throughout the 2023 regular season.

Michaels responded to the mounting criticism last month during an interview with the Post, saying it was “fair” to compare him to a baseball pitcher past his prime who now cannot throw the ball as fast anymore.

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However, Michaels said he still planned to be in the booth next season for “Thursday Night Football” each week.

“There’s no question about that in my mind,” he told the Post last month.

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NBC announced Michaels had signed a three-year deal to call games, including some playoff games, back in 2022. Michaels first joined the network in 2006 after nearly three decades with ABC Sports.

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The longtime broadcaster, who also famously called Game 3 of the 1989 World Series when it was disrupted by an earthquake, also punched back at the recent criticism over his enthusiasm in his interview with the Post.

“I don’t think I’m a lot different than I have been through the years,” Michaels told the outlet. “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.”

The Post reported this week that NBC’s No. 1 broadcasting duo, Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, will call two of the three NFL Playoff games on its network, while 26-year-old Noah Eagle and broadcasting partner Todd Blackledge will cover the third game.

The NFL Playoffs begin January 13.

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