• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 9, 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

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
exclusive

Fox Extends Erin Andrews, Charissa Thompson Contracts Ahead of NFL Season

Changes are coming at Fox, but Andrews and Thompson stay put.
Chelsea

Chelsea Club World Cup Run Banks at Least $100M for Mark Walter..

The Blues will likely take home between $100 million and $120 million.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
exclusive

CBS, NFL Host James Brown Discussing Contract Extension

The 74-year-old Brown has hosted a record 10 Super Bowl pregame shows.
Malika Andrews
exclusive
July 7, 2025

Joe Buck, Malika Andrews to Guest-Host ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’

Elle Duncan and Laura Rutledge have also had discussions.
July 7, 2025

ESPN Brings Pat McAfee to Atlanta for Home Run Derby Showcase

The Disney-owned network will bring one of its top stars to Atlanta.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark
exclusive
July 7, 2025

Dan Orlovsky, ESPN Agree to Terms for Contract Extension

Orlovsky had faced possible free agency this summer with his contract ending.
exclusive
July 3, 2025

ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap Strives to Discover Joey Chestnut’s Secret

Schaap calls his second Hot Dog Eating Contest July 4.
opinion
July 3, 2025

Caitlin Clark’s Media Supporters Pushing Harder Against Slights

Dick Vitale, Colin Cowherd, and others are accusing other WNBA players of jealousy.
exclusive
July 1, 2025

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.