American TV host and ex-NFL star Michael Strahan, who clinched the Super Bowl with the New York Giants in 2008, sparked a bit of a stir during the NFL on FOX broadcast on Sunday. As Veterans Day approaches on Monday, November 11, FOX paid tribute to those serving or who have served in the military, coinciding with global commemorations of the end of World War I.
The FOX NFL Sunday programme was broadcast from an aircraft carrier at Naval Base San Diego, surrounded by US military personnel. However, when the cameras panned to Strahan and his co-hosts during the national anthem, viewers noticed that he was the only one not placing his hand over his heart.
The show also featured a special message from seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady, who expressed on air: “We really honor you today in the NFL. You men and women who are serving us around the world, you’re our heroes. You have our respect. You have the best team in the world – and I’ve seen some great teams.”
He continued: “But there’s no greater team in the world than our military and our armed forces. We admire your commitment. We admire your dedication. We admired your sacrifice. So enjoy today. We as the NFL, we honor you. We love you. And thank you so much.”
(Image: Getty Images)
The cameras switched to the panel and that’s when the stir began. As the national anthem played, Michael Strahan was seen alongside Rob Gronkowski and other NFL analysts, but it didn’t escape notice that Strahan hadn’t placed his hand on his heart like his colleagues, reports the Mirror US.
The act of honouring the anthem and the flag has been hotly debated, especially in the NFL, ever since Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers ignited a movement by kneeling during the anthem as a quiet protest against racism and police brutality. This gesture by players has triggered contentious discussions, with critics arguing it shows a lack of patriotism.
(Image: FOX on NFL)
On X, formerly known as Twitter, the debate continued with users questioning why Strahan did not follow suit with the others and place his hand over his heart.
“Why does Michael Strahan not put his hand over his heart during the playing of our National Anthem?” one individual posted.
Another claimed: “If Michael Strahan cannot salute the American flag. As much as he has been blessed in this country, then he does not deserve to be on television”.
One user criticised Michael Strahan, who was standing with US military on Veterans Day, for not showing respect during the National Anthem. Another comment read: “How come Michael Strahan didn’t have his hand over his heart when the national anthem was playing? Everyone else did… what a show of disrespect to the country and the military boat he was standing on.”
