Al Michaels reflects on memorable 'Miracle on Ice' call | NBC Sports

[@DrPommels]

I watched that game in a hangar at Ramstein AB in Germany on a black and white TV that probably wasn't bigger than 19" diagonal. There were close to 200 of us, the commentary was in German, and we were going nuts the entire game. At the end of the game we stayed up all night! I didn't hear the Al Michaels line for at least 10 years, it brought me to tears......

[@lukeut8680]

Al Michaels is a legend! What a class act, and brilliant announcer. He was born for it 👍

[@RossLipter]

Well said! He never gets tired of talking 1980, and I never get tired of watching. Amazing.

[@RossLipter]

🇺🇸!

[@PGar58]

Fact: ABC chose Al Michaels to call hockey for the Olympics because he was the only play-by-play guy with experience calling ice hockey. His experience? ONE GAME at the 1972 Sapporo Olympics for NBC. That's it.

[@ArwensHubby]

@@PGar58 , which underscores how talented he is at the craft

[@RossLipter]

Tirico & AL just made made my night. Two pro’s talking 1980...beautiful. 🇺🇸

[@HawkVision1992]

This is flat out terrific. Had a smile on my face the entire time watching.

[@corylombard]

Such Happy ENERGETICALLY CHARGED times...

[@corylombard]

Greatest Moment In Sports History.

[@CJinsoo]

Still get chills listening to his call of the game today. Still remember where I was when watching the taped delay. It was incredible, Al was incredible-it was miraculous.

[@tobinhays652]

I was 8 when this happened. My late grandfather called me, and told me to get my entire family together and watch the game...he was an hour ahead of us when it aired. This is one of my favorite childhood and family moments.

[@joe6096]

I love Al Michaels as a broadcaster to this very day. His voice is perfect and he is multi-faceted to any sport. I think if you let him call a golf tournament or a NASCAR race he'd excel at that the same as he did with the Miracle game or the Super Bowl.

[@dpkarell]

Wonderful interview and conversation. Thank you, NBC!

[@rciotola100]

So true. So many of the "Where were you when this happened?" moments are about terrible events. Not this one. Hard to find a better American moment in the 20th century, not just a sports moment.

[@dbossmx]

Moon Landing. But yeah I get the point about the other ones. But moon landing deserves a mention there.

[@ourtime-downhere6931]

@@dbossmx I wish I was alive for that. My dad would've been about 13 and he's still obsessed with nasa and space travel.

[@DrEsky914]

Beautiful and Joyous, so great to hear Al Michaels version of that game.

[@chefbrad73]

I still to this day remember this call and where I was when I watched this game unfold on TV. I'll never forget how engrossed me and my friends were watching this game cheering, yelling...screaming at the TV and then hearing those miraculous words of poetry. "Do you believe in miracles? Yes!"

[@dberdes]

I thought I had heard and seen it all regarding the 1980 USA Hockey team. Thank you Al Michaels and Mike Tirico. That was a beautiful discussion.

[@patrickgray5633]

Jim Craig won this game 39 shots USSR 16 USA. He stood on his head & above that.

[@boochboochek1951]

Laying on the living room rug ,for the rebroadcast,honestly 2 feet in front of the TV,hearing "Don't sit so close to the TV.You'll ruin your vision". My reply was,"This is my game!Let me watch it!!!I don't care"And the rest was a miracle.

[@RyanWSi]

Took place on my 6th birthday. I can remember almost every detail of that night

[@susanbernstein8337]

When Al Michaels talks about 1980 as an era without internet, social media, cellphones or even the 24/7 cable news that we have today-it was actually better. We appreciated the thrill of that game so much more without the din of constant commentary, memes, and distractions of other events.

[@jeffreyknight3884]

Great interview, AL micheals is one of the best. He was perfect doing the miracle game. He is part of the history of this wonderful game. Thank you ABC for giving this great man to broadcast this historic event. We love you micheal for who you are. Love listening to you about this event.

[@jeffwright1722]

I cannot believe this was 40 years ago.

[@Sddysert]

Me either I was an 11 yr old travel hockey player and was at public skating when the score was announced. The game was not televised live. It was tape delayed.

[@margojohnson4224]

I was 9 years old when this happened. I was allowed to stay up and watch the game.

[@lcglynn791]

I was 2 months old. Sad that life peaked for me so early

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

I was 16

[@romeofthewing9626]

I was 11 in Seattle. I got faked out. I thought the game was live.

[@delawareweatherguy7586]

I don't believe he set up "Do you ..." I believe he was just so excited. My favorite was with about 15 seconds in the game the Russians throw it down the ice and Michaels goes, "15 seconds..And the crowd is going..Insane!"

[@djbryanladd]

My favorite part was Ken Dryden.. "Unbelievable!"

[@kenlauerer3376]

I had the pleasure of watching Mike Eruzione when he played in the IHL with the Toledo Goaldiggers. And watching this 1980 game was so special. in how it galvanized this country. Today we really need something like this again.

[@augustzell8870]

This is wonderful. Thank you, NBC.

[@dawnepps3565]

Such a great story so wonderfully told!

[@johnvollmar8414]

Infamous? No. Famous? Correct.

[@krezzykrezz]

Wouldn't be bad if just anybody didn't know the definition of "infamous." But this was written by someone at NBC Sports!

[@jimcasey1526]

Agreed. "Infamous" is an awful and inappropriate choice of words.

[@elhache7160]

Hahaaa. It was infamous to the Soviets. :p

[@mrnatural1961]

Do you believe in stupidity.......YES!!!

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

@@krezzykrezz Yeah I was thinking how was it infamous. Infamous is negative.

[@robsniffen7597]

Today’s broadcasters can’t keep their mouths shut and there are 500 other things going on the screen unrelated to the game. Al Michaels’ call was perfect. He allowed the audience to take in the game without filling every blessed second with voice, graphics, tickers at bottom, etc. etc.

[@davidmummery5956]

We just came out of the late 60s in the entire 70s the race riots, the RFK n MLK assassinations. Watergate, the end of the Vietnam war, gas wars OPEC, inflation, hostages in Iran. An incredible nationwide funk. And then this “miracle“ happens. It was like a national shot in the arm of excitement And patriotism. The right moment in time. I was 14 at the time. It is one of the greatest memories of my life.

[@jennifersolovey3450]

MIRACULOUS, I DO BELIEVE IN MIRACLES FORTY YEARS LATER

[@skittlecar1]

Great description of Lake Placid, only a few ways in, only a few ways out. The closest interstate is quite a ways away.

[@facepainter7297]

Was 2 years old but love Miracle and grew up in the State of Hockey. Only thing I can think of sportswise comparable is the Jason Lezak miracle swim to make Michael Phelps the greatest ever.

[@LeoWhalen1933]

Nbc sunday night football is my favorite football presentation because of him...

[@CatSamurai99]

Why do I love Mike's suit jacket?

[@Wordsley]

Big Al Rocks!

[@scottbell3193]

The most iconic line in sports history " Do you believe in miracles "? Yes

[@jonathanbanks2114]

This game is the only reason the NHL is alive today. Thanks Team USA and Jim Craig in goal!

[@americangiant1003]

Mr. Banks don't forget Wayne Gretzky as well. However this groundbreaking title run is the most important event for the growth of a sport ever in American Sports history. This Miracle on Ice blows away say the following 1)The Giants/Colts 1958 NFL Title Game. 2)Super Bowl 3 with Joe Willie's "Guarantee' 3)The Magic Johnson vs Larry Bird 1979 College Basketball Title Game. 4)Even Babe Ruth legendary career mainly in the 1920's that put MLB Baseball on the map.

[@JohnOdermott]

@@americangiant1003 In America, this one game transcended sports. It captivated THE entire nation, not just sports fans. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, felt so good about our country after that game. In a difficult time in our history, it gave us hope.

[@barryallen827]

Greatest sportcaster of all time!

[@mongomymango]

good interviewer!!

[@johngorczynski418]

It was a slap shot before the red line bounced off the pads then Johnson scored

[@johnmchugh8962]

I was watching five channel TV, and a ribbon came across the screen...USA 4 and Soviet Union 3. I went into the other room and was accused of lying by father and older brother, who were reading the newspaper in another room...both sportsfans. They had to watch the game...it wasn't televised live ... to actually believe it. It was a different world.

[@michaelmarrone5768]

I remember waiting for the game to start and in my naïveté I didn’t know that the game was on delay.

[@johngorczynski418]

The right coach thats how they pulled it off .

[@mckessa17]

As a Canadian who loves hockey this was the biggest upset I had ever witnessed.

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Soviet league goal scoring leaders were in 1980 Shalimov 34 goals Drotzdetzky 31 Varnakov 30 Priodin 27 Lavrentjev 27 they did not played in 1980 olympics!

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

USA had More Ice rinks and hockey players than Russia in 1980!

[@corylombard]

LAKE PLACID ROCKS.

[@michaelmarceau4863]

My peewee coach had a viewing party at his house. We probably had 50 people, parents and players, watching a 27inch console tv. Glad it wasn't a school night.

[@jefflarson9480]

Most people don't even know that the game itself was not on live TV.

[@mitchhecht9070]

Accept for my 30 dollar exactor on Giacomo at the derby my fav sport moment

[@larrylund2682]

Once you experience a Miracle there is no going back. So, the whole world saw this, basically. Then we run into people that do not believe in miracles. Would not call this a miracle either. Maybe call it luck. I once had a coach say; luck is where opportunity meets preparation. That can seem miraculous.

[@LeonardGalit]

That was the most exciting sports event in America. It may seem strange, but perhaps divine providence was involved. After all, it was called the miracle on ice.

[@jonathanbanks2114]

The Soviets said it was “infamous “.

[@PGar58]

Pulling Tretiak after the first period was infamous. Scoreboard, former Soviet Union.

[@JBTriple8]

Tretiak couldve been Vezina Material if not for the Soviets National Pride

[@martycurtis454]

Thought I seen Jamie Farr in the audience?

[@estherko1891]

why use infamous? Just curious..

[@mcmillanndu]

Not "infamous," for heaven's sake. "Famous." Doesn't anyone at NBC Sports have a dictionary???

[@dallasbrubaker6054]

Yeah but it was probably a Russian employee

[@hamburg1306]

And why is the call described as “infamous”? Did a crime occur at lake placid? No so not accurate description

[@hamburg1306]

I see changed description to “Memorable”.

[@lucabrazi3067]

Americans had only 16 shots on goal. 4 went in. They scored 25 percent of their goals.

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Montreal Canadiens vs Red Army 1976 shots 39-13! Game ended 3-3!

[@raydn23]

Back when being patriotic was in and we were anti communists. Now the top Democrat is an open communists. Sheesh.

[@jasonraczkowski6001]

And trump is friends with Putin a communist

[@PGar58]

Sad state of affairs for any party when your front runner is an 80 year old de facto socialist. And dont get me started on Madam Speaker. Even the Dems are saying THIS is the best we can do?

[@MrAbolg]

raydn23 oh shut up. You seriously have to be “that guy”

[@rocknroll7065]

@@PGar58 im a Republican but besides trump we haven't had a pres candidate worth a spit since i can remember.

[@PGar58]

@@rocknroll7065 No one wants the job. That's really it.

[@josh07698]

Why is this "infamous"? Whoever is responsible for this channel has some serious issues.

[@krustymadrid4953]

without the state of minnesota usa does not win period end of story thank you minnesota!

[@Ken4Pyro]

"Infamous"? "INFAMOUS?" Who on earth taught you the meaning of that word? It means, "having an extremely bad reputation", or "deserving of or causing an evil reputation; shamefully malign; detestable." There was NOTHING infamous about his call.

[@davidheilman1928]

They should have aired it live, the myopic money grubbing derps.

[@americangiant1003]

Mr. Hellman listen to the middle of this Micheals extended interview. If anyone is to blame it's the highly corrupt IOC and International Hockey Organizations that forced this tape delay crap for this historic game. ABC hands was tired here. With that said ABC should have aired this game live with the start and puck drop at 5:05pm. Then replay it immediately on tape delay after some post game interviews at around 830pm east coast time.

[@krustymadrid4953]

ussr vs minnesota

[@richernest3359]

Trump/Putin training wheels to Communism.Make me want to hug the Kohler and realize '64 for was more amazing.

[@hamburg1306]

Yeah interest rates at 19% but at least the bank paid real interest on deposits and you didn’t have to invest on Wall Street to get a dividend on your money. There’s no free lunch. If something good happens something is taken away.

[@thomasryan5736]

1960 US hockey team won the gold beating the USSR in the process. Good on 1980 but 1960 did it first.

[@gingerhiser7312]

Amateur = children of wealthy parents. If an athlete's "job" is to train, how do they feed, clothe, and house themselves if they are forbidden to be paid for their job? "Amateurism" was a way to exclude the working class athlete.

[@liamreilley7986]

Infamous?

[@williamrusso3130]

"Infamous"?

[@icarus8471]

Infamous? Try a dictionary.

[@zebra3stripes]

The U.S. should have scored more goals. NBC blames Russian interference.

[@kurtmooreca]

This is what really ended the cold war.

[@RaineriHakkarainen]

Soviet league goal scoring leaders were in 1980 Shalimov 34 goals Drotzdetzky 31 Varnakov 30 Priodin 27 Lavrentjev 27 they did not played in 1980 olympics! USA had More Ice rinks and hockey players than Russia in 1980! Only 34 million tv watchers in USA this game Soviet B vs young USA! Superbowl 82 million tv watchers in 1980! World Series baseball drew 54 million in 1980! How low you can go when boring slow stupid baseball draws two times than Soviet B! Lake placid was a good tournament with players like Jari Kurri Peter Stastny Glenn Anderson Neal Broten! NHL points leaders after olympics in 1980s Gretzky Kurri Peter Stastny Glenn Anderson Neal Broten!! The Hard truth is that Soviets could score 6,5 goals against young USA! In 1980 two games 10-3 3-4! Calgary 1988 score 7-5! And good will games 1990 two games 10-3 3-3! Soviet Union collapsed 1989! And good will games two games 10-3 3-3! Russia and USA no gold real hockey games olympics 1998-2014 because all the Best play!

[@colorado8avalanche]

First

[@brettpatterson404]

Al Michaels describing America in 1979 feels a lot like today. Thanks Biden.

[@americangiant1003]

Patterson being fair, the last 20 years or so, since 2002 has not been great either. Biden has not do a great job in office starting 2022 I agree. With that said, for you to blame all of the problems America is going though here in 2022, fully on Biden is totally unfair. I guess to someone like you Donald J Trump, did nothing wrong right? Honestly the last 15-20 years going back to Bush, Jr. even Obama, Trump and now Biden all deserve blame. Shut Up Paterson. Instead let us focus instead on this achievement that will likely never happen again. There other places you can bash Biden all day and night.

[@joannenasri4266]

Don't forget it was Nixon, Carter, and Regan running (& ruining) the country back then!!! Nothing to do with Biden!!! 🤬