Al Michaels has incredible halftime tradition

Aug 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Network television commentator Al Michaels before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Does Al Michaels really eat an entire meal during commercial breaks or at halftime while calling games? Those rumors have been floating around for years.

During an appearance on Pardon My Take Thursday, Kirk Herbstreit confirmed the rumors about Michaels.

Host PFT Commenter and Big Cat asked Herbstreit whether the rumors of Michaels eating a meal at breaks while calling games was true.

“This dude,” Herbstreit began. “We get to halftime, I assume it’s him, he’s got steak, shrimp, he doesn’t touch the mashed potatoes. And they’ve got like real silverware and a plate, and you only have eight minutes in halftime in the NFL, but as soon as halftime’s over, headphones are off, back behind the screen, and they’ve got a table set.

“It’s like fine dining for eight minutes, and it’s just, he’s eating and talking, and it blew me away.”

Herbstreit joked the only thing Michaels is missing is the candle, which he intends to bring with him next year.

But there are some limits to Michaels’ fine-dining experience. For example, he hates vegetables and refuses to eat them. In fact, servers who deliver them to Michaels do so at their own peril.

“If a vegetable gets near him, he’ll put a fork through your hand,” Herbstreit said. “He doesn’t eat vegetables of any kind.”

It’s surf and turf only for the picky Michaels. And apparently he’s not too worried about a broadcaster’s nightmare: having to hit the bathroom during a broadcast.