Michael Strahan has addressed the controversy he faced for not placing his hand over his chest during the National Anthem during the Fox NFL Sunday Veterans Day broadcast. Taking to Instagram, he explained whether the incident was a form of protest or not. He also touched on why he threw a reporter’s phone in a bush outside his home when they asked about the controversy on Tuesday.
Michael Strahan says National Anthem controversy not a political statement
On November 10, Strahan co-hosted the Fox NFL Sunday Veterans Day segment at Naval Base San Diego. However, the former New York Giant caught flak for not placing his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. Some viewers interpreted this as a form of protest against Donald Trump’s recent election as the 47th President of the United States.
However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Strahan stated that the National Anthem flub was absolutely not a political statement or protest. In a post on Instagram, Strahan stated:
“I have nothing to protest. I have no statement to be made. The only statement that should be made and that I want to make is that I love the military, I’ve always loved the military, and I will always love the military. 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 brat. And so the fact of somebody saying that, you know, I’m unpatriotic, couldn’t be any further from the truth.”
Strahan explained that he got caught up in the moment and forgot to place his hand over his heart when the National Anthem began. He then panicked and debated whether to put his hand over his heart late or respectfully stand until it was over. He chose the latter so as not to draw attention to himself and ruin the moment for others.
Strahan went on to apologize to anyone he offended:
“If that offended any of our military and veterans, I apologize to you because that was never my intent. I’m a product of the military, a proud lover of the military, and proud lover of all those who serve before, now, and who will serve in the future.”
Of the incident on Tuesday where he threw a Daily Mail reporter’s phone into a bush outside his house, Strahan stated:
“You gotta protect your family, and you gotta protect your home, which is what I felt like I needed to do in that moment.”
So far, Strahan hasn’t received any formal punishment for either situation. However, it remains to be seen whether addressing the controversy head-on will silence criticism about either incident.