Sports · American Football · 2 hrs ago
Fans criticize Al Michaels after delayed call on Packers fumble
Al Michaels faced renewed criticism after a delayed call during Thursday Night Football.
The 81-year-old was announcing the Green Bay Packers’ game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field for Amazon Prime Video.
The Packers lost the ball on the opening kickoff, and the Panthers recovered it at the 25-yard line.
Viewers said Michaels took several seconds to recognize the fumble and called for him to retire.
The criticism adds to scrutiny of his recent broadcasts, including complaints about his reactions and enthusiasm.
Michaels has said he will keep working until Amazon tells him to stop or he decides for himself that it is time to leave.
Amazon checks with him after each season, and he is taking his future year by year.
Al Michaels faced criticism from NFL fans after a delayed call on a Green Bay Packers fumble during Thursday Night Football.
The fumble happened on the opening play of the Packers’ Week 8 game against the Carolina Panthers at Lambeau Field.
The Panthers recovered the ball after it was punched out of Coleman Owens’ hand at the 25-yard line.
Fans on X criticized Michaels’ reaction and some called for him to retire.
Michaels has said he will continue broadcasting until his employers tell him to stop or he decides it is time.
- Who
- Al Michaels, the Thursday Night Football announcer, and fans who criticized his call.
- What
- Fans criticized Michaels for taking time to recognize a Packers fumble that the Panthers recovered.
- When
- Thursday, October 29, 2026. The article was published on October 30.
- Where
- Lambeau Field, during the Green Bay Packers’ game against the Carolina Panthers.
- Why
- Fans said Michaels’ reaction to the fumble was delayed and criticized his play-by-play.
Fans urging Michaels to retire
Al Michaels
Reaction to the fumble
Fans urging Michaels to retire
Fans criticized Michaels for taking too long to recognize the fumble and urged him to leave the booth.
Al Michaels
Michaels has said he will continue until his employers tell him to stop or he decides it is time.
Michaels signed his original three-year deal with Amazon.
Michaels said on The Dan Patrick Show that his employers or his own judgment would determine when he stopped broadcasting.
The Packers fumbled on the opening play against the Panthers, who recovered the ball.
Fans criticized Michaels’ delayed call and some urged him to retire.
- Announcer
- Al Michaels
- Game
- Green Bay Packers vs. Carolina Panthers, Week 8
- Venue
- Lambeau Field
- Fumble location
- 25-yard line
- Ball recovery
- Carolina Panthers
What people are saying
Well, either the people that I work for will tell me, or I'll know myself, a combination
The folks at Amazon and Prime have been fantastic. Fantastic to me.
Packers fumbled on the FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME. Al Michaels didn't even realize
Al Michaels has lost his fast ball
Posts on X
What a way to start the game 👏 CARvsGB on Prime Video Stream on @NFLPlus