Michael Strahan is opening up after being criticized for the way he stood for the national anthem on Sunday afternoon.
During Fox’s special football coverage from Naval Base San Diego, the “Star-Spangled Banner” was played, and while the rest of his TV teammates were seen with their hands over their hearts, the ex -giant held his hands clasped near his waist.
Some criticized Strahan for this, and he said the media coverage was so “overwhelming” that he had to post about it on his Instagram.
He admitted in a post on his social media page that he wasn’t protesting anything and had been “caught up in the moment” before realizing he hadn’t put his hands on his chest.
Strahan was asked for comment by a Daily Mail reporter outside his home, with the “Good Morning America” host grabbing and throwing the reporter’s phone.
The former defensive lineman admitted he was “not proud” of how he handled this interaction, but he felt he had to “protect” both his family and his home.
And when it came to the national anthem and why he didn’t have his hand on his heart, Strahan said he wasn’t making any sort of protest on the Fox show, especially that his father had been in the U.S. Army for more than two decades. .
“I have nothing to protest, I have no statement to make,” Strahan said on Instagram. The only statement I want to make is that I love the Army, I always have loved the Army, and I always will. I do so many programs to help veterans and soldiers. I grew up on a military base with a father who was a major in the army. My brother, my sister, my cousins, they all served in the military – I’m a military kid.
“And so for someone to say that, you know, I’m unpatriotic, couldn’t be further from the truth.”
Ultimately, Strahan said he was “caught up in the moment” of the “incredible scene” before him with all the Sailors and Navy SEALs present.
“I’m freaking out a little bit and I’m like, ‘Am I the crazy guy who puts his hand over his heart afterwards or do I stand here with my hand in front of me respectfully?’ And that’s what I did, that’s what happened,” Strahan said when he realized he didn’t have his hand on his heart.
Fox Sports told the Daily Mail on Sunday that Strahan would not be punished for the incident.
