Al Michaels Talks To Joe
February 1st, 2015
Al Michaels calls tonight’s Super Bowl
Among the heavy hitters Joe spoke with in his days in Phoenix lsst week was arguably the greatest broadcaster walking the face of the earth. That would be Al Michaels.
What hasn’t this guy called?
From the “Miracle on Ice” to World Series to college football and the NFL, Michaels’ resume is astounding. He could make a broadcast of a guy mowing his backyard sound exciting.
Of course, Joe found a way to ask Michaels about something Tampa related. Joe asked Michaels, who will call tonight’s Super Bowl between New England and Seattle, about his favorite Super Bowl game that he called. It was his first one for NBC — Pittsburgh vs. Arizona at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, Super Bowl XLIII.
Michaels spoke eloquently about how that was such a great game, filled with dramatic (uh, oh) twists and turns and lead changes.
“Yes!” Michaels exclaimed, eyes lighting up as he stood up in his chair. “I thought that game was fantastic because, No. 1, you went into the game with the Steelers, of course, multiple Super Bowls, an iconic franchise. The Cardinals, they came out of nowhere. They got killed by New England in a December game. Everybody was going, ‘What the hell is that team doing in the Super Bowl? They go on the magical run, Larry Fitzgerald has a postseason for the ages, you have Kurt Warner, the defense is good enough to get them to the Super Bowl.
“[In the game,] they are in danger of going behind three scores and have a great goal line stand to keep it to a two-possession game. They get a good break on a safety, then they score a touchdown then Fitzgerald scores another touchdown?! That takes the lead and now Pittsburgh has to come from behind and they take a long drive, about 90 yards, and it culminates with Santonio Holmes making an unbelievable catch.
“And you go back to halftime and the James Harrison interception at halftime. Everybody talks about the David Tyree play that took place [in Phoenix], the helmet catch which led to the end of the [New England] perfect season. Boy, I will put Harrison’s play up against anybody.
“It’s the end of the half. Everyone is exhausted. He runs 100 yards down the sideline, barely staying in bounds. The clock is running out. He just gets the tip of the football inside the pylon. That was phenomenal.”
Michaels had nothing but good things to say about calling a Super Bowl in Tampa, and seemed to lament how the game is not returning to Tampa anytime. Soon.
“You know what is happening? You have so many new stadiums being built,” Michaels said. “Who is going to get one of the next Super Bowls? One of them is going to be in Minneapolis. Why? Not the weather. They built a new stadium.
“Detroit has had one. Indianapolis has had one. It is a different time then when Tampa [was in the Super Bowl rotation], when you wanted to play in a warm weather site. Now, you know, it is available to almost anyone.”
The way it is now, until (unless?) the Tampa Stadium Authority instills the upgrades in the stadium mandated by the voter-approved referendum that funded the stadium, the Super Bowl isn’t returning to the west coast of the east coast.
Just think, in a couple of years, the Den of Depression could be the oldest stadium in the NFC South without major upgrades. Atlanta is soon to get a new stadium, New Orleans has renovated the Superdome, and Carolina is in the process of nine-figure upgrades, as well.
February 1st, 2015 at 2:26 pm
So Al Michaels didnt go wild telling you how the Bucs Have to draft Jameis Winston??
February 1st, 2015 at 2:28 pm
We hear so much from the NFL and other pro sports about “the fan experience”.
Seems to me leagues are stadiums into shopping malls, food courts, Wi-Fi and the latest Mega jumbotron.
You go to Cowboys stadium and many will say, “Hey I went to the mall and a football game broke out”!
In Tampa Bay’s case, anything that can distract the casual fan from Lovie Ball may be a good thing.
February 1st, 2015 at 2:47 pm
Just think if the SB was being held today in NJ, right now it is 34 degrees but it was not nice for the pregame stuff the last few days and it is probably miserable now outside. That is part of the SB
February 1st, 2015 at 2:56 pm
How’d he like Mons Venus?
February 1st, 2015 at 3:01 pm
Al Michaels is a great broadcaster but his opinion on our QB choice would be only slightly more valuable than Pablo’s.
February 1st, 2015 at 3:05 pm
Michaels looks and acts like he does not like the competition from Collingsworth on TV broadcasts, imo. Will he be his sidekick for the Super Bowl?
February 1st, 2015 at 3:10 pm
Make that Collinsworth.
February 1st, 2015 at 3:21 pm
I’m rooting for neither team today. I hate that whiny bitch Brady and I also hate the thug punk Marshawn I’m just here so I don’t get fined Lynch.
The Commish was right. It’s part of your job Marshawn. Don’t be a thug punk.
Should be a great game though. I really like Sherman.
February 1st, 2015 at 3:25 pm
The stadium needs a new video screen.
February 1st, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Jim…I concur 1000%.
February 1st, 2015 at 3:48 pm
Aren’t the improvements slated to take place soon??
February 1st, 2015 at 3:58 pm
There won’t be any taxpayer approved enhancements to Tampa.
None.
The morons across the bay have already ramped up the “CRISIS” alarm that all major sports franchises use as their “go to” negotiation tool “…yes, it’s unfortunate, but without the taxpayers of the country/state ponying up another $3 BILLION stadium (or $300 million in upgrades, etc.,), we will be moving the team to Montreal, Oklahoma City, Lower Transferthewealthia….”
Sorry, I’ve been one of the gullible fans the owners treat like rubes for too long. Nothing against the Glazers, they’re no different than the owners of any other sports franchise…but if you’re part of a industry that generates this much money – they need to pay for their own buildings. Then, once they’ve ponied up the lions share of the money – ONLY THEN should any politician be able to commit the meat-and-potato/joe-sixpack workers of the county/state – to pay for some rich guys building where THEY aren’t invited to come without paying a fee to enter….
Not gunna happen.
As for journalists and politicians who are already taking payola from the owners to write favorable puff-pieces supporting another PRO-TAXPAYER FUNDED STADIUM boondoggle…well, lets just say you’re all on the clock. Don’t be so qui to commit us to MORE taxes. We’re carrying too many people as it is.
Until/unless the owners are going to open the doors on a rotating basis to allow the taxpayers who FUND the new stadium(s), don’t try committing ME to any further payments. Just because you like reporting/watching sports doesn’t obligate me to build things for rich people who know exactly how much it costs to get build what they want, and EXACTLY how much it would cost them to MOVE a team to a new city…
As for the Al Michael’s piece: cool story bro..
February 1st, 2015 at 4:28 pm
@87
Just an honest question for you. How is it that you can’t stand Marshawn but are so supportive of Winston? I see a lot of similar character between the two. But on the other hand, I keep reading how Winston is the best prospect in the last several years at QB. If that is true then how far has QB talent fallen? I honestly can get past Winston’s off the field stuff but I think he is extremely over rated and will be shocked if he amounts to anything. I am not sold on there being a QB worth a 1st round pick this year but since we need one so bad I think we have to settle for one. I really hope I am wrong and we hit a home run but I am not going to hold my breath.
February 1st, 2015 at 4:39 pm
I’m pulling for New England for the same reason 95% of black athletes ,I just saw on TV,are going for Seattle.
February 1st, 2015 at 4:47 pm
Go Seahawks!!!! WTF Barry? Your comment seems so racist. Sad!
February 1st, 2015 at 5:10 pm
It would have been better if Barry had given the source of this information, instead of “I just saw on TV…”
If this is truly reported as such, then I can only conclude that there was only one reason for the broadcasters to even say such a thing…
February 1st, 2015 at 6:04 pm
Barry…well 95% of blacks voted for Obama again, yet the black unemployment rate was at an all time high in the history of America. Highest unemployment ever. So go figure.
Not saying I agree with you about the game but the last presidential election spoke volumes to me about who sticks together.
February 1st, 2015 at 6:23 pm
rayjay1122 …as for Winston he’s far from thug-like. More like a bunch kids playing with BB guns. Immature yes, but far from thug-like.
Like Dilfer said he’s got an infectious personality. It’s been said by many that he has a great personality. He’s also not shy of the camera at all.
He grew up in a middle class family in Alabama. Marshawn Lynch grew up in Oakland California. That’s thug life at the highest order.
February 1st, 2015 at 6:30 pm
“So Al Michaels didnt go wild telling you how the Bucs Have to draft Jameis Winston??”
I wonder Al “DUI” Michaels would have a soft spot for a “young kid getting into young kid trouble” like Winston.
February 1st, 2015 at 11:40 pm
Great Super Bowl – sick way to lose a game, I’m sure the airwaves will be lit-up with “why didn’t they just hand it off and let BeastMode score (again)?” – but I really enjoyed it because I didn’t have a dog in this fight. Unlike past year where I was puling for one side or the other – I really enjoyed watching each teams strategy play out…well matched and well coached.
Too bad the defense couldn’t just “let it go” – and that such a good game had to end that way. Just a well payed and coached game.
February 2nd, 2015 at 8:11 am
Al loves Berns Steak House