Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Al Michaels Gave Unintentional Nod to Cris Collinsworth During 'TNF'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Nov 14, 2024 9:19 PM ET

Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth are some of the longest-tenured, most respected and most frequently criticized NFL broadcasters to ever hold the job at the highest level -- each of them working games in primetime for decades.

So it was interesting, kind of funny, perhaps even a bit ironic -- and definitely a bit iconic -- to hear Michaels make something of a spontaneous and unintentional shoutout to Collinsworth during Amazon Prime's "Thursday Night Football" matchup between the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 14.

Michaels was describing Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels ahead of an offensive snap in the first quarter and used phraseology so common in Collinsworth's vernacular that it's a little surprising the NBC color commentator hasn't copyrighted it yet (or at least tried to) -- "So here's a guy..."

"So here's a guy..." - Al Michaels ️#NFL #TNF

(cc: @CollinsworthPFF) pic.twitter.com/CNtQMUV6ux
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 15, 2024

"So here's a guy who doesn't throw into a lot of trouble or traffic, and he's only had a couple of picks, and they came in Weeks 4 and 5..." Michaels said, per video provided by the official X account of Awful Announcing.

Michaels is in the final year of his three-year contract with Amazon to cover the streaming service's weekly Thursday night contest alongside Kirk Herbstreit, who is also employed to cover the collegiate ranks by ESPN.

Michaels, who turned 80 years old earlier this week, has not yet committed to retirement or returning to broadcast NFL games for Amazon or any other streaming service and/or network in 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: