NBC’s Michaels, Collinsworth ‘compelled’ to wear masks by Calif. officials for NFL telecast

Al Michaels said he and NBC colleagues Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya were “compelled” by California officials to wear masks throughout their “Sunday Night Football” telecast of a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.

“No, we are not auditioning for the ‘Masked Singer,’” Michaels joked at the top of the broadcast Sunday night. “Santa Clara County officials have compelled us to wear a mask during the game and so that is the story.”

“I don’t know who I am,” Collinsworth quipped in response.

Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth are being forced by Santa Clara coronabro authorities to call tonight’s Eagles-49ers game while wearing masks. Really. https://t.co/jKYqRQXBgg

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 5, 2020

The game took place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara County, which has seen 334 deaths since March linked to COVID-19. The county currently records an average of 100 cases per week.

Michaels, Collinsworth and Tafoya were not compelled to wear masks during previous “Sunday Night Football” games this season in Kansas City, Mo., Los Angeles, Seattle and New Orleans.

The Eagles topped the 49ers Sunday night, 25 to 20, to gain their first victory of the season. No fans were permitted in the stadium.

The NFL postponed two games last week due to positive COVID-19 tests. The New England Patriots-Kansas City Chiefs game scheduled for Sunday was moved to Monday night after Patriots quarterback Cam Newton tested positive.

Another Sunday contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans was moved to Oct. 25 after several Titans players and team personnel tested positive.