Al Michaels, who mocked wearing a mask on national television earlier this NFL season, reportedly can’t call Sunday night’s Giants Browns game because he couldn’t clear the COVID-19 protocols.
Michaels, 76, is out and Mike Tirico is in, according to NFL Network. It is unclear if Michaels tested positive for the virus or was a close contact of another individual who is positive.
“I feel great,” Michaels told NFL Network. “I have no symptoms and my temperature this morning was 97.5. I look forward to returning to the booth as soon as possible.”
Michaels kicked and screamed in October when he and analyst Cris Collinsworth had to call a Niners-Eagles game with masks on due to an edict from officials in Santa Clara (Calif.) county.
“We’re good boys, though. We’re going to get lollipops at the end of the game tonight,” Michaels whined.
Hopefully for Michaels’ sake, he remains healthy.
For the public’s sake, it’s probably best that NBC and the NFL have a play-by-play voice who doesn’t mock safety protocols during a pandemic that has killed more than 300,000 and counting.
