FOX NFL Sunday host and New York Giants legend Michael Strahan has apologized and insisted he “loves the military” after viewers accused him of disrespecting the national anthem.
Ahead of Veterans Day, the Fox NFL Sunday panelist stood alongside his studio colleagues during the broadcast at San Diego Naval Base. Surrounded by military personnel, every member of the team placed their hand over their heart as “Star Spangled Banner” played – apart from Strahan, which frustrated and upset viewers.
After Strahan was seen shoving a phone camera out of his face when approached outside his home by a reporter, he took to social media to apologize with a video. He said: Everybody, its Michael here and I want to address what happened this past weekend, and I feel like I need to address it because it spilled over to the point where I get out of my car today and Im ambushed by a media outlet here at my house. Im not proud of the way I handled that whole situation, but i think anybody out there can understand the things youre gonna do- youre gonna protect your family and protect your home which is what I felt like I needed to do in that moment.
It all stems from this past weekend in San Diego with my FOX crew – two days in San Diego with the navy seals and all the other sailors there. I did a two-hour show praising the military, and all that theyve done for us, celebrating Veterans Day, and we had our national anthem.
I didnt have my hand over my chest. Everyone thought, Hes protesting, hes making a statement – which is so far from the truth. 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: I love the military. Ive always loved the military, and I always love the military.
I do so many programs to help veterans and soldiers. I grew up on a military base with a father whos a major in the army, my brother, my sister, my cousins – they all served in the military. Im a military brat, and so the fact that someone says that Im unpatriotic couldnt be any further from the truth and if you want the truth, Ill you the truth. I was caught up in the moment! Im looking at all these young sailors standing there, at attention before the national anthem played and Im thinking to myself, How incredible to be that young and to know you want to do this.
Its such a commitment that youre willing to commit to something that you know gives us our freedoms. Plain and simple. Im just sitting there in amazement. Im always amazed, because I dont take it for granted no matter where we go around the world – Afghanistan and all the military institutions here in this country. And by the time I looked up from that moment, all my five guys had their hands over their hearts, the national anthems playing, and I somewhat panicked – do I be the fool that puts his hand over his heart after, or do I just stand with my hands in front of me respectfully? Thats what I did. Thats what happened.
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He added: If that happened any of military and veterans, I apologize to you because that was never my intention. Im a product of the military, and a proud lover of the military and all those who served before, now, and who will serve in the future.
Newsmax’s Todd Starnes was among those who had been critical of Strahan for his actions during the Fox NFL Sunday broadcast. He took to Twitter/X to say: “Michael Strahan disrespected the military during a Veterans Day pre-game show on @NFLonFOX. The great irony is Strahan on a ship surrounded by men and women who would willingly sacrifice their lives to protect his freedom. So, his behavior is not just repugnant, it’s downright cowardly.”
FOX Sports decided to not fine or punish Strahan in the wake of the incident. Strahan has strong military ties; he grew up in Germany as his father, Major Gene W. Strahan, Sr., was based there at the time. Strahan attended Mannheim American High School, which is a school for military dependents operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The former NFL star has been seen visiting wounded service members at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Strahan has also worked with a military nonprofit organization called Merging Vets and Players, which connects retired military veterans with retired athletes in the hopes of easing the transition of both members.
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