Al Michaels shown ‘love letter’ on TNF as retirement calls intensify after bungling Rams s

October 3, 2025

Prime Video crew members Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth shared a sweet message to Al Michaels during the San Francisco 49ers’ clash with the Los Angeles Rams.

Michaels returned to the booth alongside Kirk Herbstreit for the Thursday Night Football showdown at SoFi Stadium. The 80-year-old appeared confused earlier in the game, while he also couldn’t seem to wrap his head around the name of Rams receiver Jordan Whittington.

Article continues below

Many fans called for Michaels, who had an iffy relationship with Howard Cosell, to retire as he consistently referred to the Rams wideout as “Whittingham.” For some, this was the last straw.

Article continues below

READ MORE:Napheesa Collier delivers damning 4-minute statement torching WNBA and Cathy EngelbertREAD MORE:Angel Reese gets straight to the point as Napheesa Collier torches WNBA

“Aight. If al michaels calls whittington whittingham one more time we gotta take him out back like ol yeller,” one fan wrote.

Another said: “Al Michaels TRIPLING down calling Whittington ‘Whittingham’ Not one soul correcting him.”

However, it seems Michaels still has plenty of support from within the Prime presentation crew. During the 2-minute warning before halftime with the 49ers leading the Rams, Fitzpatrick showed a piece of paper which read: “I [heart] Al Michaels.”

Michaels brushed the message off, laughing after suggesting the former quarterback and Whitworth are running out of guests for their podcast.

Michaels has been the voice of the show since Prime secured a lucrative deal to exclusively show Thursday night NFL games.

The 80-year-old originally announced his intention to retire in 2021, but joined Amazon after they agreed to pay a lucrative $1 billion annually for the rights to stream games.

While his three-year deal with Amazon expired after the 2024 season, Michaels is essentially on a rolling contract despite criticism from fans.

However, while he is perhaps the greatest play-by-play sportscaster of his generation after working for more than 50 years in the industry, calls for Michaels to walk away from the booth have increased over the last few seasons as fans have grown tired of his perceived lack of enthusiasm.

Article continues below

Michaels has worked in sports television since 1971 and has been calling NFL games since 1986. He was the voice of Monday Night Football on ABC from 1986 to 2005, and switched to NBC’s Sunday Night Football in 2006.

It’s unclear if this will be Michaels’ final season, or whether he will extend through 2026. He has become synonymous with Prime Video, though, and will surely finish his career alongside Herbstreit in the Thursday Night Football booth.

Michaels will next be in the booth when the New York Giants host the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium in an NFC East showdown on Thursday Night Football to open Week 6 on Oct. 9.