Legendary play-by-play announcer Al Michaels has been known for calling a remarkable number of special moments in sports. And on Thursday night, he also showed off his ability to call special moments in astronomy.
Michaels had the Amazon Prime Video play-by-play duties alongside color commentator Kirk Herbstreit for Thursday night’s NFL preseason game between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. In the final minutes, Michaels provided play-by-play for a partial lunar eclipse visible in Cleveland.
“Alright, boys and girls. Welcome to astronomy class,” Michaels said. “This is a partial lunar eclipse. Might be less impressive than a total eclipse. But the eclipse tonight, anything but ordinary. The moon won’t be completely eclipsed. So, this is not technically a blood moon. But much of the lunar surface is expected to take on a reddish hue, with just a thin sliver remaining brightly illuminated. Yes, sir. Here it is.”
Noted astronomy expert Al Michaels takes you through a partial lunar eclipse live on Prime Video. pic.twitter.com/BZah57zL91
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 28, 2026
“It’s not a possum,” Herbstreit responded.
“It’s certainly not a possum,” Michaels agreed, with a laugh. “It’s not a possum on the moon.”
The possum commentary is referencing the late, great college football play-by-play announcer Keith Jackson, who used the phrase “possum-hunting moon.”
“We would need Keith Jackson to come back and elucidate with that,” Michaels explained.
“But there it is, ladies and gentlemen. A partial lunar eclipse, live on Prime Video,” Michaels said.
And this is actually not the first time Michaels has offered commentary about the moon looking incredible, while also making a Keith Jackson reference, on a Prime Video broadcast.
Al Michaels on the moon, NYC Mayor Eric Adams and rats, and the clutch kicking of Greg Zuerlein, right before Zuerlein misses a field goal. #TNF#NFLpic.twitter.com/qkAZwMRjzc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 20, 2024
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