Reliving Al Michaels’ biggest calls during his illustrious career

At 78 years of age, Al Michaels continues to bring fans closer to the game with his distinctive play by play announcing. Michaels has been a part of some important moments in sports over the last forty years. All football statistics are sourced from Football Reference.

Perhaps Michaels’ most memorable call came early in his broadcasting career. He was on hand for the United States hockey team’s massive upset against the USSR in the 1980 Winter Olympics.

At the seconds ticked away on the clock, Michaels’ “do you believe in miracles” phrasing accentuated the shock, and has withstood the test of time.

It was one of the scariest moments in live sports television. Game 3 of the 1989 World Series between the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants was about to begin.

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Michaels and color commentator Tim McCarver were running down Game 2 highlights when the video cut out. Michaels can be heard saying “we’re having an earthquake!” in the background.

As the game wound down, most NFL fans expected the Seattle Seahawks to take the lead during the Super Bowl in February 2015. However, an incredible moment ensued where Russell Wilson threw an interception to New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler, which sealed the victory for the Patriots. Michaels’ voice captured the incredulity of the sequence.

It seemed like an innocuous incomplete pass that Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre heaved in Antonio Freeman’s direction. The only thing was, the ball never hit the ground, and Freeman ran the ball in for a touchdown.

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Michaels was in the process of realizing what had happened, and marveled at the fortunate bounce the ball had taken during this game in 2000.

The Super Bowl in 2000 came down to one final drive, where the Tennessee Titans needed a touchdown to tie the game. Quarterback Steve McNair hit wide receiver Kevin Dyson on a slant, but he was tackled at the one yard line by St. Louis Rams linebacker Mike Jones. Michaels perfectly summarized just how close the Titans were to extending the game.

The Miami Dolphins seemingly had an insurmountable lead against the New York Jets during a Monday Night Football game in 2000. New York made a furious comeback, capped off by a signature play.

Offensive lineman Jumbo Elliott caught a touchdown pass from Vinny Testaverde to remarkably tie the game. Elliott bobbled the ball before securing it on his way to the ground.

The Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks played to a 6-6 tie in a Sunday Night Football game in 2016, but both teams had chances to win. Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro missed a short kick in overtime, and Seahawks kicker Stephen Hauschka would then miss a short kick of his own.

Michaels lost his mind over the insanity that two professional kickers could miss such easy chances.

The Green Bay Packers squib kicked a kickoff to prevent the New England Patriots from setting up a return in a 2010 Sunday Night Football game, but an unlikely hero emerged. Guard Dan Connolly scooped up the ball, and the right guard rumbled it back 71 yards in one of the most improbable sequences in NFL history.

Michaels also spent some time as ABC’s lead play by play announcer for the NBA when the network picked up television rights back in 2003. In 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers were down to the San Antonio Spurs by one point with 0.4 seconds remaining. Los Angeles inbounded it to Derek Fisher, who stunningly connected on a fadeaway that gave the Lakers the win.

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According to Pro Football Network, Michaels has no plans to retire from play by play any time soon. He said in November 2023 that he would once again be in the booth for the 2024 NFL season.