Amazon Prime’s NFL announcer Al Michaels caught heat from fans once again this season during the streaming platform’s Black Friday coverage.
The 80-year-old was back in the booth alongside Kirk Herbstreit Friday as they covered the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders for Prime.
However, the play-by-play announcer flirted with controversy when he referenced Aaron Hernandez, the former New England Patriots tight end who was found guilty of murder.
Hernandez was charged with the murder of semi-professional football player Odin Lloyd in 2013 and was ultimately found guilty in 2015, being sentenced to life in prison without parole. In 2017, he was found dead in his cell. His death was ruled a suicide.
During Friday’s broadcast, Michaels likened the Patriots’ tight end partnership of Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski of the dynasty days to the current one in Kansas City, which includes Travis Kelce and Noah Gray.
Michaels’ comparison, which came after Patrick Mahomes overthrew a pass to Gray in the end zone during the second quarter, was harmless enough and accurate given the Chiefs’ current quest for a Super Bowl three-peat.
Amazon Prime’s NFL announcer Al Michaels (R) caught heat from fans once again this season
Michaels referenced Aaron Hernandez, the ex-Patriots tight end who was found guilty of murder
However, NFL fans were left baffled by the comment on social media, with many questioning Michaels’ reasoning behind name-dropping the controversial former player.
‘No Al Michaels, let’s not compare Noah Gray to Aaron Hernandez,’ one exasperated social media user posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another added: ‘Al Michaels casually comping Noah Gray to Aaron Hernandez is so f***ing wild…’
‘Al Michaels brought up Aaron Hernandez? Oh my,’ one shocked fan wrote, while another shared two laughing emojis and posted, ‘not Al Michaels just casually comparing the Chiefs TE to Aaron Hernandez.’
‘Al Michaels name dropping Aaron Hernandez was not on my bingo card,’ another said.
While one fan appeared particularly frustrated, saying: ‘NOOOOOO AL MICHAELS DON’T MENTION AARON HERNANDEZ ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO BLACK FRIDAY FOOTBALL NOOOOOOOOO!’
Others appeared stunned by Michaels’ nonchalant reference, with some claiming that the announcer doesn’t appear to care.
‘Al Michaels give no f***s,’ one claimed. ‘Talking about Aaron Hernandez on the broadcast.’
Michaels likened Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski to Travis Kelce and Noah Gray (pictured)
NFL fans were left stunned by the veteran play-by-play announcer’s comment on social media
‘Al Michaels with an Aaron Hernandez reference. Would think there’s a natural filter to not go there,’ another said.
‘Al Michaels name dropping Aaron Hernandez the day after Thanksgiving,’ chimed in a third, while a fourth reiterated, ‘Al Michaels just casually mentioned Aaron Hernandez like he was some regular dude.’
Meanwhile, others agreed, also claiming that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would be less than impressed with the reference.
‘al michaels uttering the name “aaron hernandez” on air has to have activated whatever spidey-sense roger goodell possesses,’ one fan quipped.
‘I can’t believe Goodell didn’t activate Al Michaels’ shock collar with that Hernandez reference,’ another said of the commissioner.
‘i dont think the nfl loves al bringing up aaron hernandez so much,’ another claimed, while a fourth posted, ‘Amazon exes after Al Michael’s Hernandez quote: “Yea he’s headed out”‘
It was not the first time that the commentator has been on the receiving end of criticism from fans this season.
Michaels has been roasted for his commentary, [particularly his lack of enthusiasm, with many fans calling for him to retire.
