On Al Michaels

It was a bit more than unsettling when I heard Al Michaels say the following after a critical play at the end of the Ravens-Bengals NFL game last Thursday:

“Too many games end this way. It’s so frustrating to the fans. So frustrating.”

Michaels was referring to a failed 2-point conversion pass following a touchdown that had the conversion been successful Cincinnati would have beaten Baltimore.

The play failed but the officials failed even more.

The replay showed clearly that there were two obvious penalties committed by the Ravens that were not called and not reversed on review.

My friend, who I regard as the best play-by-play football broadcaster ever, couldn’t and didn’t hold back his dismay at still another occasion where the officials decided the game, not the players on the field.

It happens too often.

The fact is, penalties ranging from pass interference, offensive or defensive holding, roughing the passer and some others can be called at any time, depending on the judgment of the official.

Even the reviews of a play made by those either upstairs in a booth or officials looking at replays in the league’s New York headquarters can be off.

In this particular situation, there was defensive holding before the pass was in flight as well as forceful contact to the head, including the face mask of Bengals QB Jeff Burrow, which meant roughing the passer. Both should have been called.

Calling those two obvious fouls would have given the Bengals another chance after the incomplete pass.

Networks employ former NFL officials in the booth to clarify calls, and Terry McAuley quickly noted the mistakes by the men in the striped shirts.

It has become alarming to the extent that fans can’t even spontaneously react to a play because they are awaiting the possibility of the yellow flag being thrown.

Now, there is an added element and it’s a serious one.

With the NFL and their network partners heavily promoting betting on games and other facets of a contest, there becomes a suspicious reaction to a questionable calls.

Gambling by players is allowed as long as it doesn’t involve the sport they play.

But we know there are ways around that provision.

You can argue that players earn huge amounts of money and betting enough to make it worthwhile could affect the odds.

But officials are not paid in the stratosphere and this presents a problem.

I would never accuse an official of gambling on a game he is covering, and I am absolutely not pointing a finger on them regarding the Bengals-Ravens situation.

But the doubt created by the fact that gambling is encouraged by sports leagues affects the integrity of the game.

Integrity is the only thing that holds the world of sports together.

Without that, there can be no complete confidence in the playing and officiating of the games.

Betting was once considered the greatest taboo in sports.

That is no longer the case.

So, in wrapping up the controversial finish of last Thursday’s Bengals-Ravens game, I have to conclude that the circumstances were simply marked by the mistakes and oversight by the men officiating the game.

If I don’t think that way, and go beyond, sports  is in incredible trouble.

Pivoting back to Al Michaels. Not only do I think he’s been the best NFL announcer, but if you remember his baseball work on ABC, and his one year of NBA broadcasting, you are aware of his superiority in everything he does.

And many will recall the 1980 Olympic hockey semi-final between the USA and Soviet Union. That great American upset victory and Michaels’ iconic phrase:

“Do you believe in miracles? Yes.”

Earlier this year and last season as well, Michaels was criticized for his “lack of excitement” on big plays and scoring calls on Thursday Night Football.

Al is doing commentary precisely the way he’s done it throughout his brilliant career, measured and authoritative.

But today, it seems play-by-play men prefer to yell and scream not only when touchdowns are scored, but on routine plays as well.

Those who scream turn viewers off I believe. Screamers act like fans in the stands, they yell and talk far too much.

I believe they spoil the pictures and sounds of the events on the field and in the stands.

I think many if not most act this way because they may not possess deeper, authoritative voices.

Growing up and throughout my career, the voices of the announcers were their trademark. I rarely heard one that wasn’t effective.

It’s different now

And I don’t know why.