Michael Strahan found himself in hot water this week after what some call a “national anthem blunder” at a Fox Sports event honoring Veterans Day. The former NFL star and Fox NFL Sunday analyst was at the San Diego Naval Base when he forgot to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem, sparking outrage among some fans who saw it as a disrespectful move. But after a messy encounter with a reporter outside his home, Strahan finally breaks his silence and explains the situation in a way that sounds less like a “protest” and more like a “human error.”
Michael Strahan’s dad served in the Army for 23 years. He grew up on a US Army base in Germany and has given a ton of money to veteran charities. He’s standing quietly at attention. We need to stop getting so upset at every little thing. https://t.co/7mrHFAmk52
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) November 11, 2024
Strahan took to Instagram to tell his side of the story, admitting he got caught up watching the young Navy sailors in attendance and found himself “amazed” at their commitment to serve. By the time he realized what was happening, he was faced with that classic deer-in-headlights moment: put his hand over his heart mid-anthem or stand respectfully and hope no one noticed. Turns out, people noticed. And they didn’t hold back.
In his video, Strahan addressed his actions honestly. “If that offended any of our military and veterans, I apologize to you,” he said. “I have nothing to protest, I have no statements to be made.” Strahan made it clear he comes from a proud military family and respects the military deeply—his father served as a major in the army, and many of his relatives have also worn the uniform. In his words, he’s a “military brat” through and through, and anyone accusing him of being unpatriotic couldn’t be further from the truth.
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What really seemed to fuel the fire, though, was his reaction when a DailyMail reporter caught him outside his home, phone in hand, asking for a comment. Strahan didn’t exactly keep his cool; instead, he tossed the reporter’s phone into a nearby bush and headed into his house, sending the tabloids into overdrive. Strahan later admitted he wasn’t proud of that response, but he also emphasized the importance of privacy. The guy was blindsided at his own home after all, which makes it understandable why he didn’t feel like giving an impromptu press conference on his front lawn.
Michael Strahan assaulted a reporter when confronted about the national anthem controversy.
Maybe put your hand over your heart next time like a respectful citizen, privileged to be surrounded by American troops on Veterans Day weekend. pic.twitter.com/52L7VZ5ETb
— Steve 🇺🇸 (@SteveLovesAmmo) November 12, 2024
Despite the public outcry, sources close to Strahan have hinted that Fox Sports won’t be taking any action against him. Apparently, his co-hosts and colleagues are standing by him, recognizing that it was an honest mistake rather than an intentional slight. Fox Sports seems content to let Strahan move on, chalking this whole thing up to an unfortunate misunderstanding rather than a punishable offense.
Strahan’s message: he never intended to make Veterans Day about himself, and he certainly didn’t mean to cause offense. It’s a shame, though, that a day meant to honor the men and women in uniform has instead turned into a media frenzy over a single hand gesture. Strahan’s faux pas has sparked a debate over patriotism, but maybe it’s also a reminder that people make mistakes—even those who live in the spotlight. For now, he’s sticking to what he knows: expressing gratitude for the military and hoping we can all move on from this.
