Hear Al Michaels' emotional tribute to Dan Hicks during 'Thursday Night Football' - USA Today

The sports world mourns the passing of longtime broadcaster Dan Hicks, whose death was announced on Thursday, Nov. 12. He was 64 years old.

On "Thursday Night Football," Al Michaels shared some words about his friend's legacy on the Prime Video broadcast of the game between the New York Giants and Washington Commanders. He said he and his colleagues were "shocked" to hear the news that Hicks had passed away from what NBC Sports and Hicks' wife, Hannah Storm, said in a statement was an "acute illness."

Michaels reflected on Hicks' impressive resume across multiple sports. After Hicks joined NBC Sports in 1992, Michaels said he "provided captions to so many iconic moments in golf, tennis and Notre Dame football. He and Rowdy Gaines turned the calling of swimming at multiple Olympics into an artform."

Michaels then turned to Hicks' character, remembering his kindness and joy.

"He was genial," he said. "He was compassionate, great company, had a world class sense of humor."

His voice broke as he sent his condolences to Storm and their children.

"On this very rough day for so many of us, we send our love to Hannah and your three daughters," Michaels said, choking up. "Wishing you strength and comfort."

Michaels' tribute was one of many that poured in after the news of Hicks' death broke. Leagues and fellow broadcasters posted heartfelt messages to honor their friend.

Gaines' reflection was especially saddening. The duo covered swimming for NBC for eight Olympics, beginning with the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. They called the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, when the U.S. men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay swimming team, led by Michael Phelps, made one of the greatest comebacks in Olympic history to set a world record and take home the gold medal.

"My heart is broken," Gaines wrote on Instagram. "Danny wasn't just my partner in the booth for eight Olympics. He was one of my closest friends, someone I trusted with everything, both in and out of that arena. He was the glue that held us all together at all of those Games. He made me laugh like no other (person) ever has. We shared thousands of races and a friendship that went way beyond the pool deck. I’ll miss his voice, his steadiness, and just having him next to me."

Hicks was scheduled to handle play-by-play duties for this weekend's Notre Dame game in South Bend, Indiana, in the battle between the Fighting Irish and Boston College.

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