Al Michaels sparks outrage by mentioning Aaron Hernandez during game commentary

On Black Friday, November 29, 2024, during Amazon Prime's coverage of an NFL game, play-by-play announcer Al Michaels made a controversial reference to Aaron Hernandez. Hernandez, a former New England Patriots tight end, was implicated in a high-profile murder case in 2013, where he was convicted for the murder of Odin Lloyd in 2015 and subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Michaels drew a comparison between Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski, two players from the Patriots’ dynasty era, and the current tight end duo of Travis Kelce and Noah Gray for the Kansas City Chiefs. This comment quickly garnered backlash on social media as fans were baffled by Michaels’ decision to invoke Hernandez’s name, given the negativity surrounding his criminal history. Many expressed their disdain online, questioning why Michaels would bring up a figure associated with violent crime in a sports commentary setting, particularly in light of the NFL’s reputation management. Some social media users highlighted the absurdity of casually equating current players to someone like Hernandez, remarking on Michaels' apparent nonchalance regarding the impact of his words. This incident wasn’t the first instance of criticism directed at Michaels this season; he has faced scrutiny for his overall commentary style, with spectators calling for his retirement. The reaction from fans suggested widespread disapproval, with some suggesting that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell would likely be unhappy with the reference. The comments not only reflect public sensitivity towards the figures like Hernandez but also underscore the challenges faced by sports commentators in balancing entertainment with the potential ramifications of their remarks.