Al Michaels Slammed For Tone Deaf Harvey Weinstein Joke During Sunday Night Football

NBC broadcaster Al Michaels faced a Twitter backlash Sunday after he likened the streak of bad luck that the New York Giants was facing in the season to terrible week that the Miramax co-founder, Harvey Weinstein, was having after he was accused of sexual misconduct by several women who have worked for him in the past.

"Let's face it, the Giants are coming off a worse week than Harvey Weinstein, and they're up by 14 points," Michaels said when he was doing live commentary during the second half of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcast. At the time, Giants held a 14-point lead over Denver Broncos. Immediately after Michaels made the cringeworthy remark, fellow commentator Chris Collinsworth said only "L.A. guy” like Michaels could “come up with that one."

Later, during the same broadcast, Michaels apologized, admitting that his comment may have offended some people.

"Sorry, I made a reference earlier before, trying to be a little flip about somebody [who's] obviously very much in the news all over the country, and it was not meant in that matter," Michaels said. "So, my apologies, and we'll just leave it at that."

As soon as Michaels' statement went on air, social media went ablaze with criticism. Many users felt he was out of line when he made the statement, while some users supported him.

Michaels’ comment about the professional football team comes at a time when the Giants have been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. A lot of players in the team were injured last week, including star receiver Odell Beckham. Jr. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the star defensive back, was also suspended after he argued with coach Ben McAdoo, according to some reports. Consequently, the team lost six back to back games during the week, Sporting News reported.

Nevertheless, the comparison of the plight of a football ball team to Weinstein — who has been accused by more than two dozen women of various forms of sexual harassment following two reports published by the New Yorker and New York Times — was considered distasteful by many. The New York Police Department (NYPD) is likely opening a criminal investigation against the beleaguered film producer.

“Based on information referenced in published news reports the NYPD is conducting a review to determine if there are any additional complaints relating to the Harvey Weinstein matter,” the NYPD told the Hollywood Reporter in a statement. “No filed complaints have been identified as of this time and as always, the NYPD encourages anyone who may have information pertaining to this matter to call the CrimeStoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.”

After the reports were published, Weinstein’s wife Georgina Chapman, 41, announced she was leaving her husband, with whom she has two children. “My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband,” she said in a statement to People. “Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time.”

Weinstein is currently receiving treatment at a rehabilitation center in Arizona. Before departing for the rehab, he told reporters, “Not doing OK,” and “We all make mistakes.”