The Aporia · Al Michaels roasted for bad Michael Penix Jr. mistake during ‘TNF’

Al Michaels roasted for bad Michael Penix Jr. mistake during ‘TNF’

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McCarron, G. (2026, September 25). Al Michaels roasted for bad Michael Penix Jr. mistake during ‘TNF’. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/25/sports/al-michaels-roasted-for-bad-michael-penix-jr-mistake-during-tnf/

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Quick Summary

Al Michaels, broadcaster for "Thursday Night Football," made an error during a recent game by incorrectly stating that Michael Penix Jr., quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, attended the University of Oregon instead of the University of Washington. Fans were quick to criticize this mistake on social media, especially those from Washington. Michaels later corrected his statement on air. This incident adds to ongoing criticisms about his broadcasting style and accuracy, with some fans suggesting he should retire due to perceived lack of enthusiasm in his commentary.

Written by AI on 2026-09-25, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Longtime broadcaster Al Michaels made a mistake on Thursday Night Football when discussing Michael Penix Jr.'s return to action after recovering from a torn ACL. Michaels incorrectly stated that Penix attended the University of Oregon, but he actually went to the rival University of Washington. This error sparked criticism from fans, especially those who are alumni or supporters of the University of Washington. Penix led the 2023 Huskies to an undefeated regular season and a national championship game appearance before losing to Michigan. He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting that year, marking the highest placement ever for a player from the University of Washington. Michaels later corrected his mistake on air.

Written for “NFL Broadcast Controversy” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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sentences that state something as happening or true

Uncertain

0 of 19 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")

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not political

takes no side on a contested political question

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66/100

New York Post's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.

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articles that frame the event the way this one does

Who wrote this

Grace McCarron

64 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 Defensive line coach Todd Wash has been named interim defensive coordinator and will call plays, per The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero. The team also parted ways with defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley in the coaching staff shakeup.

2026-10-30 · assertive framing · Panthers fire defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero after ‘TNF’ defeat

🔮 It wouldn’t be the first time the NFL has made its mark in Japan.

2026-10-23 · assertive framing · Roger Goodell wants NFL to expand international play to Tokyo: ‘It’s coming at some point’

🔮 The lab will utilize AI-driven research and data analytics to help athletes and coaches make training and preparation more efficient and assist with recruiting.

2026-10-23 · assertive framing · University of Texas athletics to use AI lab to help decision-making — with a catch

🔮 “I would use the word edgy, and I like it,” Sarkisian said Thursday after the team lost at home to Florida.

2026-10-23 · assertive framing · ‘Edgy’ Arch Manning has changed a lot for Texas: ‘Everybody created this’

🔮 “I will stand on the table for Jordan’s character.

2026-10-21 · mixed framing · Robert Saleh sticks up for Jordan Elliott after released Titans lineman pulled gun: ‘Call for help’

🔮 Rapoport said Gardner is “expected to miss some time, but not an extended period.”

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Sauce Gardner suffers new injury with blockbuster trade looking like Colts disaster

🔮 Instead, Dalton will head to Atlanta, whhich has already seen action from four different quarterbacks this season after injury issues with Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Andy Dalton signing with Falcons after spurning Eagles reunion pitch

🔮 “…The injured player on the ground, DaShawn Stone, is like family to me, and I was scared he might be seriously hurt.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Duke football star speaks out after swatting away female staffer

🔮 When Micah Parsons was traded to the Packers in August 2025, it was to be expected that the Dallas defense would have difficulties, but it held its own Sunday night, holding Green Bay to a 31.4% offensive success rate throughout the game.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Dak Prescott reveals what ‘sucks’ the most after another nightmare Cowboys game

🔮 When the broadcast returned for the second half, it appeared Nantz might have actually hurt himself, as his hand was wrapped with ice.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Jim Nantz appears to hurt hand punching football on live TV

Also by Grace McCarron

Panthers fire defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero after ‘TNF’ defeat

2026-10-30 · New York Post

Brewers closer Trevor Megill starts World Series controversy ahead of Game 3: ‘F–king idiot’

2026-10-26 · New York Post

Roger Goodell wants NFL to expand international play to Tokyo: ‘It’s coming at some point’

2026-10-23 · New York Post

University of Texas athletics to use AI lab to help decision-making — with a catch

2026-10-23 · New York Post

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 64 articles by Grace McCarron →

Claims (19 extracted, 0 hedged)

Longtime broadcaster Al Michaels made a mistake on “Thursday Night Football” that drew some criticism from NFL fans. asserted

that → make → fans

While discussing Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s return to action this season following a torn ACL, Michaels mistakenly said that Penix went to the University of Oregon, when in reality, he went to the rival University of Washington. asserted

he → discuss → Washington

Fans immediately jumped to criticize Michaels online, particularly those who attended the Big Ten school in question. asserted

who → jump → question

He said Michael Penix went to Oregon when he actually went to Washington,” one fan tweeted. asserted

fan → say → Washington

“Al Michaels just committed the cardinal sin of football, saying Michael Penix had ‘two great years at Oregon,’” another said. asserted

another → commit → Oregon

Michaels eventually issued a correction on the air. asserted

Michaels → issue → air

Penix led the 2023 Huskies to a perfect 13-0 start en route to a national championship game appearance, where Washington lost to Michigan. asserted

Washington → lead → Michigan

Penix would finish second in Heisman Trophy voting that year, the highest ever for a Huskie. asserted

Penix → finish → Huskie

It’s not the first time the legendary Michaels, 81, has been called out during his tenure with Amazon Prime. asserted

Michaels → ’ → Prime

In recent years, fans have called some of his touchdown calls unenthusiastic, with some pushing for him to retire. asserted

him → call → calls

Michaels addressed that criticism three years ago. asserted

Michaels → address → criticism

“Look, sometimes I’ll take some s–t. asserted

I → look → –

People say, ‘He didn’t get excited enough.’ asserted

He → say → ?

What do you want me to do? asserted

me → want → What

That ain’t me,” Michaels told Sports Business Journal in 2023. asserted

Michaels → ai → 2023

“That ain’t [Joe] Buck, that ain’t [Jim] Nantz… asserted

that → ai → ?

You can’t let things like that distress you. asserted

things → let → you

I’ve been doing this for so long. asserted

I → do → this

And I wouldn’t be here at this point still doing a major package if I was doing it the wrong way.” asserted

I → do → it

Al Michaels roasted for bad Michael Penix Jr. mistake during ‘TNF’

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Claims (19 extracted, 0 hedged)