Near the end of tonight's NFL game, Michaels began edging into edgy territory, to me

[NRaleighLiberal]

He asked Collinsworth about the day and the events, and started to head into a discussion about it "all being a distraction" - as in did Oakland play poorly because the situation required teams to lose focus on the game. (me reading between the lines thought he was offended that this little issue could actually interrupt his beloved football)

Collinsworth didn't have time to respond very much because the game resumed and the subject was changed.

Some here mentioned Michaels' right wing tilt - and I thought it was going to start to emerge with that exchange.

Interesting....

[gratuitous]

1. Well, Al, yeah, I think the players have been distracted

The situation in Puerto Rico is mind-bogglingly bad, and the chief executive is completely oblivious to the dire straits these citizens find themselves in. Hanh? That's NOT the distraction you were talking about? Something on your mind more important than the life or death of our citizens? What would that be?

[True Dough]

2. So true!

Like playing football was really the IMPORTANT thing and standing or kneeling during the anthem was taking away from the game that really matters so much while people are shot with impunity and the Caribbean lays in ruins.

[rockfordfile]

3. Yeah Michaels is a right-winger. They should mention how much of a racist Trump is.

[Awsi Dooger]

4. I noted the same thing

Michaels during the "Football Night in America" program that precedes Sunday Night Football was surprisingly balanced. He said things were beginning to calm down regarding the national anthem issue until Trump "threw a match" on it.

I know damn well Michaels didn't want to go that far. He is an extreme winger and has played golf with Trump fairly recently, since the election.

I don't doubt that Michaels felt he could stray toward his true beliefs late in the game, after offering that cushioner during pregame.

As soon as Michaels said it, I turned the channel. I'm not surprised someone else here picked up on it.

[rusty fender]

5. Why did Del Rio

make the sign of the cross after the anthem? Did he think a prayer would help his team win
Mind boggling...

[underpants]

6. I think he's a devout catholic

He does that before every game

[rusty fender]

8. Thanks, didn't know.

[fishwax]

7. he's right, it is a distraction...from jareds email problem

I mean, I doubt that is what Michael's was going to say, but Trump blowing up the NFL at this particular moment probably isn't a coincidence.

The good news is that our seems largely to have backfired.