NBC play-by-play man Al Michaels made a joke during Sunday Night Football that was in poor taste.
The New York Giants entered Sunday night’s game against the Denver Broncos as the NFL’s most disappointing team at 0-5, and are dealing with a number of injuries (as well as plenty of drama) that include a fractured ankle suffered by superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. last week.
Well, Michaels compared the Giants’ situation to the last week of Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, and that was a bad idea.
With the Giants leading the Broncos 17-3 in the third quarter, Michaels said, “The Giants are coming off a worse week than Harvey Weinstein, and they’re up by 14 points.”
Comparing the state of an NFL team to a guy that is being accused by dozens of women of sexual assualt and harassment in the entertainment industry understandably drew plenty of reaction on Twitter.
Al Michaels: “The Giants had a worse week than Harvey Weinstein”
Must be funny UNLESS YOU HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN A VICTIM OF ASSAULT. @SNFonNBC— Lisa Guerrero ?? (@4lisaguerrero) October 16, 2017
Al Michaels is probably the best play-by-play guy in history. But boy… that was a big, big lapse in judgment.
— Doug Farrar (@BR_DougFarrar) October 16, 2017
too soon, al michaels. toooooooo soon.
— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) October 16, 2017
Way to make light of a serial sexual assaulter, Al Michaels. Already know NFL doesn't give a shit about women, thanks for cementing it.
— Spillygirl (@borken_cookie) October 16, 2017
Al Michaels just went there.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 16, 2017
Nooooo no no, Al Michaels. No Harvey Weinstein references. Horrid. #SNF
— Jon Humbert (@jonhumbert) October 16, 2017
After the SNF broadcast came back from commercial early in the fourth quarter, Michaels apologized, saying he didn’t mean the Weinstein reference “in that manner”:
And his apology effort didn’t go over much better on Twitter:
Brent Musberger’s “screw all of you” apology for wanting Joe Mixon to get a 2nd chance >>>>>>> Al Michaels’ “um, sorry, kthanksbye” apology
— Sean Pendergast (@SeanTPendergast) October 16, 2017
Al Michaels' grudging apology for his shitty Harvey Weinstein joke may have been worse than the joke irself
— Joseph Flynn (@ChinaJoeFlynn) October 16, 2017
Wow that half-hearted apology actually made Al Michaels' joke at the expense of sexual assault survivors even harder to stomach, @SNFonNBC.
— Kerrin Garripoli (@kerripoli) October 16, 2017
my goodness that Al Michaels ✌?apology✌? was weak as hell
— Jonathan (@jnthnwll) October 16, 2017
What a trash ass apology by Al Michaels. Lmaoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!
— Henny Omega (@MyNig) October 16, 2017
[NBC]