• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Michael Strahan Responds to National Anthem Controversy

Strahan, whose father served in the 82nd Airborne, drew criticism for not putting his hand over his heart during a Sunday rendition of the National Anthem. He addressed the situation with a video on social media Wednesday.

Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

How do you handle a growing story you don’t believe should be one? That was the conundrum facing Michael Strahan and Fox Sports over the backlash to his actions during a rendition of the national anthem on Sunday.

Strahan, whose father served with the 82nd Airborne, declined to put his hand over his heart during the playing of the anthem. While Strahan stood respectfully with his hands folded at his waist, all six of his Fox NFL Sunday colleagues put their hands over their hearts

I spoke with several sources about what happened during Fox NFL Sunday’s telecast from Naval Base San Diego on Sunday. They say Strahan meant zero disrespect. 

“This whole thing is so ridiculous,” says one source. “If Michael wanted to go full [Colin] Kaepernick he would have come up with something better than just holding his hands together.”

Strahan hadn’t directly addressed the controversy for days, and neither had Fox, as both Strahan and the network didn’t want to pump oxygen into a media brushfire. As criticism intensified, however, that changed on Wednesday with a video Strahan released through his Instagram account.

“The only statement that should be made and I want to make is that I love the military, I’ve always loved the military, and I’ll always love the military,” Strahan said.

“I was caught up in the moment. I’m looking at all these young sailors, standing at attention before the National Anthem plays, and I’m thinking how incredible. … And by the time I looked up from that moment, I panicked.”

Fox executives felt the “cowardly Strahan disrespects veterans” theme is a crock ginned up by social media critics. As one of the few networks broadcasting from military bases every year, Fox is angered by accusations it acted unpatriotically—on the eve of Veterans Day, no less.

Fox’s Jay Glazer offered a full-throated defense of his friend on X/Twitter. If Strahan was protesting some issue, he would say so loud and clear, according to Glazer. The NFL insider said that before forming an “angry mob,” his critics should learn about the donations he’s made to veteran charities over the years.

“Let me tell you this, I don’t know if I have a friend who is more proud of his military roots than Michael, growing up on an army base constantly talking about what he learned from his dad Major Gene Strahan and how his time there shaped him. I heard it CONSTANTLY, still do!” Glazer tweeted.

I agree that people need to lighten up and stop looking for insults where there aren’t any. I believe Strahan meant no disrespect toward veterans. Stories like this love a vacuum, however. As FOS editor-in-chief Daniel Roberts laid out Sunday, with President-elect Donald Trump returning to the White House, sports and politics will be intertwined once again. Strahan is one of the savviest media personalities on Earth, rising from a Hall of Fame playing career to cohost of GMA. It took too long, but it appears he realized that if you don’t define the narrative, the narrative defines you.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Silver: My Comments About Basketball Highlights Were ‘Misconstrued’

The NBA commissioner spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned in summit.

Netflix Boxing Ratings Spark New Fight Over Streaming Metrics

The streamer used a non-accredited process to measure the boxing match.
Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.
Sep 6, 2025; Paris, FRANCE; Brad Tavares (red gloves) fights Robert Bryczek (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Accor Arena.

TKO President Mark Shapiro Pops Talk of Valuation Bubble, Defends UFC Deal

“Sports is the last bastion of unifying content in this world.”

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.

Bethpage Black Joins Trend of Hosting Top Men’s, Women’s Tournaments

The 2028 Women’s PGA Championship will be there for the first time.
September 17, 2025

CFB TV Ratings Stay Hot As Georgia-Tennessee Sets ABC High of 12.6M

ABC has had four games that have topped 10 million viewers this season.
Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) dribbles on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the second half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.
September 17, 2025

Adam Silver: NBA’s Problems With Gambling ‘Have Been Predictable’

Silver originally advocated for legalized sports betting in a 2014 op-ed.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Maria Taylor
September 17, 2025

Maria Taylor Talks About ‘Moving Differently’ in ESPN-NBC Jump

Taylor will be NBC Sports’ lead NBA and WNBA studio host.
September 17, 2025

MLB, NBC Leaders Say Broadcast TV Still Matters in Streaming Era

The network and league tout the forthcoming rights deal.
Feb 17, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talks to media during a press conference before NBA All Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Adam Silver Doesn’t Want NBA Europe to Be a ‘Top-Heavy League’ 

Silver said he doesn’t want the prospective league to be like European soccer.
Stephen A Smith
September 16, 2025

Watch: Full Stephen A. Smith–Clay Travis Debate

Smith and Travis debated at Tuned In.