Al Michaels

Al Michaels. An iconic American sportscaster renowned for his signature excitable delivery and mastery of major-event broadcasting, he is one of the most recognized voices in American television. His career, spanning over five decades, is highlighted by his long tenure on ABC's Monday Night Football and his role as the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports' coverage of Sunday Night Football. Michaels is famously known for his legendary call of the "Miracle on Ice" at the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Early life and education

Born in Brooklyn, he moved with his family to Los Angeles as a child. His early interest in sports was nurtured by listening to legendary broadcasters like Vin Scully of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Michaels attended Alexander Hamilton High School where he began his broadcasting journey on the school's closed-circuit radio station. He pursued higher education at Arizona State University, graduating in 1966 with a degree in radio and television. While at Arizona State, he called games for the Sun Devils and worked at the campus radio station, KAET.

Broadcasting career

Michaels began his professional career in 1968 with the Hawaii Islanders, the Triple-A affiliate of the California Angels. His big break came in 1971 when he joined Cincinnati Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman in the Crosley Field booth. In 1977, he moved to ABC Sports, where he initially covered Major League Baseball and college football. His rise to national prominence was cemented when he joined the Monday Night Football booth in 1986 alongside Frank Gifford and Dan Dierdorf. After Disney's acquisition of ABC, Michaels' contract moved to ESPN, though he remained on ABC broadcasts. In a landmark 2006 trade, the rights to his services were exchanged from ESPN/ABC to NBC Sports in a deal that included Oswald the Lucky Rabbit cartoon rights, bringing him to Sunday Night Football. There, he formed a celebrated partnership with analyst Cris Collinsworth.

Notable calls and legacy

Michaels is synonymous with several of the most famous moments in sports broadcasting history. His call of the U.S. hockey team's victory over the Soviet Union at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid—"Do you believe in miracles? YES!"—is eternally etched in American culture. Other signature calls include the interrupted 1989 World Series due to the Loma Prieta earthquake ("I’ll tell you what, we’re having an earth-") and the final play of Super Bowl XLIX. His precise timing, historical knowledge, and ability to elevate dramatic moments have influenced generations of broadcasters. Michaels has called Super Bowls for multiple networks, NBA Finals for ABC, and Stanley Cup Finals for ESPN.

Personal life

Michaels married Linda Anne Stamaton in 1966, and the couple has two children. He has maintained a relatively private life outside of his broadcasting booth, with his primary public focus being his professional work. An avid sports fan, his personal interests have often been intertwined with the games he covers. He has resided primarily in California throughout his adult life.

Awards and honors

Michaels' exceptional career has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. He is the recipient of multiple Sports Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Personality and for his work on Sunday Night Football. In 2013, he received the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. The American Sportscasters Association has named him National Sportscaster of the Year on multiple occasions. Perhaps his highest honor came in 2021 with his induction into the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, solidifying his status as a broadcasting legend.

Category:American sportscasters Category:1944 births Category:Living people