This week’s issue of Sports Illustrated features an excerpt from Al Michaels ’ new book, You Can’t Make This Up, written with Executive Editor Jon Wertheim. In the excerpt, Michaels shares insight on working with infamous broadcaster Howard Cosell including behind-the-scenes musing of working side by side with Cosell from the early days of covering boxing to his signature yellow blazer and his transformation as a megacelebrity on Monday Night Football.
Al Michaels is the current play-by-play announcer for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” and our generation also knows him as the voice of NFL Monday Night Football. Here’s a memorable, eye-catching snippet from the article and book.
Michaels on confronting Cosell’s drinking on-air during a game…“We’re protecting your ass. You’re sitting here drinking all night, and you’ve ruined the damn telecast. I’ll take a stand right now, Howard: The next time you’re in this shape when we’re doing a game, either you’re not going to be there or I’m not going to be there. Is that a good enough stand for you?” He said nothing and walked away.
Of course it should be noted that Al Michaels was arrested and charged with misdemeanor DUI in Southern California on April 12, 2013. The police said Al Michaels was extremely cooperative with the cops and was released on his own recognizance Saturday morning.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and very often writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his features stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2
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