Michael Strahan breaks silence on national anthem controversy live on Fox NFL Sunday and sends clear message to fans
MICHAEL Strahan broke his silence on the fan backlash he faced after the national anthem controversy on Fox NFL Sunday.
Strahan, 52, spoke out in a lengthy Instagram statement after uproar from a special show at the Naval Base San Diego honoring veterans.
The New York Giants icon was the only member of the Fox panel to not place his hand over his heart during the anthem.
And that led to a backlash from viewers who labeled him unpatriotic.
The 52-year-old has been silent on the matter but felt like he had to speak out late Tuesday.
Strahan said, “I didn’t have my hand over my chest and everyone thought ‘he’s protesting, he’s making a statement.’
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“That is so far from the truth,” he declared.
“I have nothing to protest, I have no statement to be made.
“The only statement that should be made and I want to make is that I love the military.”
The NFL icon continued, “I do so many programs to help veterans and soldiers.
“I grew up on a military base with a father who was a major in the army.
“My brother, my sister and my cousins all served in the military.
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“The fact that somebody is saying I’m unpatriotic couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Strahan spent part of his childhood in Germany with his father stationed there on military duty.
His Fox co-star Jay Glazer leaped to his defence with a message on X on Tuesday.
“The truth is that I was caught up in the moment,” Strahan said.
“I’m looking at all these young sailors standing there to attention before the national anthem is played and I’m thinking to myself ‘how incredible.’
Michael Strahan’s NFL career
Michael Strahan is one of the most recognizable faces on television.
But he came into his media career off the back of a hugely successful stint in the NFL.
Strahan spent 14 years all with the New York Giants from 1993 to 2007.
He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and helped them win the Super Bowl in 2007 – ending the New England Patriots’ hopes of a perfect season.
Strahan was also a two-time NFL sacks leader and also won Defensive Player of the Year.
The ex-Giants star set the single-season sack record with 22.5 in 2001 – a feat which was matched by J.J. Watt exactly 20 years later.
He is one of the best defensive stars to have ever played the game – finishing with 141.5 career sacks and 854 tackles.
“To be that young and know that you want to do this is such a commitment, but you’re willing to commit to something that you know gives us our freedoms, plain and simple.
“I was just sitting there in amazement. I never take it for granted.
“By the time I looked up from that moment, I somewhat panicked and thought ‘do I be the fool who puts his hand over his heart after?’
Or do I just stand here with my hands in front respectfully, so that’s what I did and that’s what happened.
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“If that offended any of our military and veterans, I apologize to you because that was never my intent.
“I’m a proud lover of the military, all those who serve now, all those who served before and all those who will serve in the future.”
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