Al Michaels is responsible for some of the most memorable calls in sports history. He has announced for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, college football, college basketball, as well as the Olympic Games. During that time, he has witnessed and relayed many of sport’s most amazing plays on the biggest stages imaginable.
- Michaels was covering the UCLA Bruins basketball team when they went on their infamous 88 game winning streak
- Michaels did the famous 1989 World Series game that got interrupted by an earthquake at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.
- Michaels broadcast countless spectacular plays on Monday Night Football, including Antonio Freeman’s 43 yard touchdown reception from Brett Favre allowing the Green Bay Packers to defeat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime.
- Arguably the most famous call in Olympic history was made by Al Michaels as he asked the world if they believed in miracles when the United States beat Soviet Russia in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Michaels’ career took a little while to get going, as he got his first job on air in 1964. He was hired then quickly let go by the Los Angeles Lakers as a color commentator after only four games. He continued attempting to find jobs and finally found his niche in baseball, football, and hockey. Although Michaels eventually did develop his skills in basketball play-by-play he has made his most memorable calls while doing baseball, football, and Olympic winter sports.
The thing that helped Michaels develop his career as a sportscaster was finding his passion. In order for a broadcaster to become as wildly successful as Al Michaels has become, they need to have more passion for the game they are watching than even the biggest fan of the team which is playing. Michaels was willing to move around the country throughout his life working in Ohio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Hawaii. Once network talent saw the passion Michaels put into each of his broadcasts he was hired by ABC.
While with ABC Michaels was still able to travel around the country doing Monday Night Baseball for the American Broadcasting Company in 1977. He also covered college football, college basketball, hockey, and many Olympic events during his tenure. One of those Olympic events just so happened to be the “Miracle on Ice.”
Michaels was only chosen to do the game because he had done one hockey game eight years prior to the 1980 games. All the other members of ABC’s broadcast team had never done a hockey game before, so Michaels was granted the privilege of covering the most magical hockey game in United States history. The Miracle on Ice is what catapulted Michaels into the spotlight of the world in 1980 helping him to become a household name around the nation and even the world. The last minute of the broadcast as the United States clung to a 4-3 lead over the Soviet Union could arguably be the best call of all time. Michaels used his passion to bring the noise and excitement at Lake Placid to every viewer at home who was locked to their television. Although he was almost yelling due to the noise of the arena, he kept a very solid tone which was understandable but brought a sense of urgency as the USA was barely able to get the puck away from their own goal. The Soviet Union continued checking the under-sized US players into the walls fighting for their Olympic lives. Michaels was able to keep his composure, calling who had the puck while simultaneously counting down with the audience. The excitement in his voice is brilliant enough to send a chill down the listeners spine, even to this day 33 years later.
As many movie-goers have seen in the movie “Miracle,” Michaels counted down from 10 seconds left to 5 before he shouted “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?!” as the players and fans erupted in complete pandemonium. The passion in Michaels’ voice completely captured the emotions of every American in Lake Placid. More importantly, the silence from the booth to follow the end of the game allowed viewers to take in the event which just happened unabridged.
Michaels’ passion and dedication for his craft is what has set him apart, and put him on top of the sportscasting world. He found his niche, made the most of his opportunities, and put his passion for athletics into his voice for those who have been fortunate enough to listen to him.
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