The Baltimore Orioles created a chaotic firestorm earlier this week when it was revealed they suspended play-by-play broadcaster Kevin Brown for reading an innocuous stat about the team being awful before 2023. Rather than just focus on their status as an American League heavyweight, Baltimore has got its own fans chanting “free Kevin Brown” at home games.
And now they’ve drawn the ire of legendary broadcaster Al Michaels.
Michaels, 78, is most recently known for his work on NBC’s Sunday Night Football and Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football. But the legend has called just about every major sport over the years and is undoubtedly one of the faces of the sports broadcasting profession.
During an interview on ESPN’s Outside the Lines, Michaels discussed his thoughts on the Orioles’ ongoing broadcasting suspension mess. Michael didn’t mince his words, saying the person who suspended Brown is a “doofus” and should be suspended themselves. In this case, that would reportedly be Orioles owner John Angelos.
Phew. What a quote.
"They should suspend the doofus that suspended Kevin Brown."
Hall of Fame broadcaster Al Michaels weighs in on Orioles announcer Kevin Brown's removal from team broadcasts. pic.twitter.com/Cav35V7667
— Outside the Lines (@OTLonESPN) August 9, 2023
This Orioles controversy is the kind no reasonable baseball organization should want to be associated with. So you know you’ve royally screwed up if an icon like Michaels blasts you in public like this.
MORE: Every MLB stadium in 2023, ranked worst to best
This was how Twitter reacted to Michaels' insult
Should be on a t-shirt. https://t.co/hh1X1NTZ39
— Jeremy Schaap (@JeremySchaap) August 9, 2023
Tell me I’m not the only one who heard Al Michaels say the word “doofus” and instantly thought of Cris Collinsworth saying, “Now here’s a guy who’s a doofus.”… https://t.co/NM2cCZk2fM
— Jon Dodd (@JonJonnymac34) August 10, 2023
The voice of God @alrmichaels has spoken about the doofus @JohnPAngelos https://t.co/W8Fslapyc5
— John Dedie 🇺🇦 (@JohnDediePolSci) August 9, 2023
Al Michaels is invited to the parade https://t.co/EOiEstGhJK
— Tim (@ItsReallyTimmyB) August 9, 2023
Al Michaels is 100% right. This won't just blow over. This is a stain on the organization. Totally unacceptable. https://t.co/Nk8M5L9JBB
— David Atlas (@DavidAtlas69) August 9, 2023
Common win for Al https://t.co/Lydx941k0W
— Dane P (@DaneBob33) August 9, 2023
Al Michaels got this one right https://t.co/I4ARJvhkmR
— Neil C (@RealNeilC) August 9, 2023
AL FROM THE TOP ROPE https://t.co/UARojuQHfZ
— Matt (@MrKCincy) August 9, 2023
I haven’t heard the word “doofus” since Saved By The Bell was in its original run, but it’s warranted here. https://t.co/P97ldiLoLH
— Zach Baker (@Zachthewriter) August 10, 2023
