Michael Strahan found himself in hot water this weekend, resulting in mixed emotions from football fans.
The 52-year-old Hall of Famer was at the San Diego Naval Base on Nov. 10 to celebrate Veterans Day with the rest of his “Fox NFL Sunday” crew ahead of the NFL’s Week 10 slate of Sunday games.
At one point during the broadcast, the seven-man crew was surrounded by dozens of men and women in uniform as they listened to the national anthem play over the loudspeakers.
Six of those men—Howie Long, Jay Glazer, Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson and Rob Gronkowski—stood with their hands over their hearts while “The Star-Spangled Banner” played.
But fans grew outraged when they noticed Strahan standing with his hands folded in front of him.
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… pic.twitter.com/iIXqChfLCW
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) November 10, 2024
Former Fox News columnist Todd Starnes was one of the many to call Strahan out.
“The great irony is Strahan on a ship surrounded by men and women who would willingly sacrifice their lives to protect his freedom,” he wrote on X. “So, his behavior is not just repugnant, it’s downright cowardly.”
Several other people called for Fox to fire Strahan, while others merely branded him as “unpatriotic” and “disrespectful,” according to the Daily Mail.
But despite the backlash, Strahan proceeded to silence the critics with a response on Instagram.
“Thank you to all veterans and active service members who courageously risk their lives to protect us every day,” he wrote alongside a photo of his father. “Your selfless service is beyond measure.”
Strahan’s father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan, Sr., served for 23 years in the U.S. Army and was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division, according to Strahan’s post.
“Just as I honor my father, I keep all of you in my thoughts each and every day as we would not have the safety and freedoms we cherish without you,” he concluded.
While some people were quick to condemn Strahan, others rushed to his defense.
Many fans pointed out that Strahan was once a nominee for the NFL’s Salute to Service Award in 2020.
The award “acknowledges the exceptional efforts by members of the NFL community to honor and support U.S. service members, veterans, and their families,” according to the NFL.
In a 2020 biography for the award, the NFL praised Strahan for utilizing his experience and platform to make a difference within the military community.
Not only did he visit wounded service members at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, but hedonates clothes from his clothing line to veterans in need.
They also revealed that he’s a self-proclaimed “Army Brat” who “moved to Germany when he was nine years old in support of his father’s United States Army career.”
Strahan spent 15 years in the NFL between 1993 and 2007. He retired with 141.5 sacks to his name and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.