Al Michaels Under Fire for Unnecessary Damar Hamlin-Tua Tagovailoa Broadcast Comments

Al Michaels is a legend in the world of sports broadcasting. He has been on television since 1971 and spent three decades with ABC Sports before making the move to NBC Sports.

With the 2024 NFL season underway, the voice of Al Michaels has returned to television sets everywhere. He joined Kirk Herbstreit for the call for the Thursday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins.

Unfortunately, Michaels was caught under fire for some unnecessary comments as Bills safety Damar Hamlin tackled Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, causing Tagovailoa to remain on the ground and eventually be ruled out with a concussion.

Sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung was heard with the report on Tagovailoa: "Tua Tagovailoa will not return to this game," Hartung said via the broadcast. "He has been ruled out with a concussion. They were able to determine that just 6 minutes after he left the field."

Right after that, Michaels made a comment that did not go over well.

"A little irony there, he got hit by Damar Hamlin," Michaels said. "You know that history."

After Michaels' comment, there seemed to be an awkward silence in the booth before Michaels spoke again.

However, fans took note of Michaels' gaffe.

"Does Al Michaels know what irony is?" one fan wrote on X. Another said, "I can’t believe this was said tbh."

"Al Michaels, do better," said a fan.

A lot of fans instantly called on Michaels to hang it up and put an end to his broadcasting career.

"Al, it's time to hang it up."

"Al Michaels has been awful for a very long time he gotta hang it up," a fan wrote. "Al should retire," said another .

"Al Michaels actually stopped caring the second he got that Amazon check it’s incredible," another fan said.

"The complete lack of compassion & empathy from Al Michaels was shocking," a fan wrote on X. "Some tweets tonight saying it’s time for him to retire b/c his announcing has been completely monotone this game. Now I agree he needs to retire. Kaylee sounded very concerned; Al was like ho hum; next."

Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in Week 17 of the 2022-23 NFL campaign against the Cincinnati Bengals, only to make a miraculous recovery and return to playing in games. However, it was not something fans expected Michaels to bring up at all during the broadcast.

The reactions certainly are not on the side of Al Michaels, and he likely wishes he could have the segment back.

The next Thursday Night Football game will be between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets in New Jersey.

Related: Damar Hamlin Breaks Silence on Hitting Tua Tagovailoa