Older does not always mean wiser. One of the brightest sports minds in the country, and one of the most respected voices in sports journalism proved that alcohol makes people do stupid things.
Al Michaels, one of the all-time great broadcasters was arrested over the weekend in Southern California on suspicion of driving under the influence. As reported in espn.go.com.
As with many DUI recipients, Michaels was pulled over after making a routine traffic violation. He was pulled over at about 9:30 p.m. after officers manning a DUI checkpoint witnessed him make an illegal U-turn. Perhaps he was trying to avoid the checkpoint.
Michaels, the play-by-play man for "Sunday Night Football," was taken to the station, where he registered a blood-alcohol level at the .08 percent legal limit.
He was booked for suspicion of DUI and held for about five hours before being released on his own recognizance.
An Emmy Award winner, the 68-year-old Michaels spent nearly three decades at ABC Sports before moving to NBC in 2007.
Michaels worked NFL games and other sports for ABC, and called "Monday Night Football" for nearly 20 years. He also is known for his call of the U.S.-Soviet Union "Miracle on Ice" game at the 1980 Winter Olympics and the earthquake-interrupted Game 3 of the 1989 World Series.
Last year he received the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting. I hope Michaels does not let this blip de-rail his lifetime achievement of helping others. This is a prime opportunity for him to take a California Wet Reckless Class, stay sober and help others avoid the perils of alcohol as well.