One of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history appears to be taking a pass himself when it comes to directly addressing a raging controversy.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan recently came under intense scrutiny after a viral image on social media platform X showed him as the only member of the Fox NFL crew to not stand with his hand over his heart during the recital of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
You can see the viral image, courtesy of Newsmax pundit Todd Starnes, below:
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
“Michael Strahan disrespected the military during a Veterans Day pre-game show on @NFLonFOX,” an incensed Starnes posted to X. “The great irony is Strahan on a ship surrounded by men and women who would willingly sacrifice their lives to protect his freedom.”
To really hammer home his point, Starnes took a pretty clear shot at Strahan’s character: “So, his behavior is not just repugnant, it’s downright cowardly.”
Starnes’ viral post garnered all manner of reaction on social media, from some veterans saying they had no issue with Strahan’s stance, to others calling for Fox to fire him.
(Fox will not be firing, or otherwise punishing, Strahan, according to a U.K. Daily Mail report.)
The controversy swirled over the weekend, but Strahan had been otherwise mum — despite those aforementioned calls for his job — until Monday, which was Veteran’s Day proper.
That’s when Strahan took to Instagram to post something that some construed as a direct response to the controversy.
“Thank you to all veterans and active service members who courageously risk their lives to protect us every day,” Strahan posted. “Your selfless service is beyond measure.
“This is my hero, it is also my father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan, Sr. He served for 23 years in the army and was a proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division.
“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. Thank You.”
Some of the responses noted the way that Maj. Gene W. Strahan, Sr. was standing in the photo — identical to the way the younger Strahan stood in the viral photo.
Strahan, a known “military brat” growing up, has long been upfront and honorific when it comes to describing the U.S. military.
In fact, that military background likely contributed to the fierce backlash Strahan faced because it caught some people off-guard.
If any of these inbred , watermelon eating , vine climbing , tree swinging degenerates don’t like OUR National Anthem ,,,,,,,, then get the F-ck out of our country !!!! PERIOD !!!!
THE she-man! He has never figured out who the f**k he is. From what I’ve seen he would rather be a mindless coward that wants to rub titties with the ignorant twits on his morning shows than be a man who played nfl football. Whenever he shows up on the pregame shows and starts talking about what a stud he used to be, I change channels immediately. He adds nothing to the football analysis that is going on with the other esteemed, qualified football analysts that dont have daytime twit shows. This guy is truly pathetic.
This should be a easy decision to fire him ASAP especiallybecauseit was on a Navy ship. Not watching the FOX pregame ever again until he is gone. The man was at work and as such he should do his job. A y protesting that he wants to do should be when he is not working. Such disrespect is very sad to see. He and Kappernick can travel the country together. I hope he is replaced this year.
Hey Guys, let’s try NOT to become liberal democrats and be offended by every infinitesimal perceived microaggression by every human since the dawn of time. Be the bigger man.
plain and simple he disrespected our country and our vets on there day and then he uses his father to try take the heat off him he no hero of any kind