Fox Sports analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan recently faced backlash over his behavior during the national anthem on a Veteran’s Day broadcast from the U.S. Navy Base in San Diego. During the performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, Strahan didn’t place his hand over his heart—a gesture many consider a show of respect. Instead, he kept his hands clasped at his waist, a stance that ignited criticism on social media, with some fans calling for Fox Sports to reprimand him for what they viewed as a lack of respect.
Despite the public outcry, Fox Sports has decided not to take disciplinary action against Strahan. According to a report from the Daily Mail, a source close to the situation described the incident as an “honest mistake.” The source clarified that Strahan was deeply moved by the moment and had no intention of being disrespectful. “Michael was in the moment,” the source explained, “and in no way, shape, or form objecting to the occasion. This controversy was never his intent, and he simply hopes to move forward, focusing on what he can control.”
League insider Jay Glazer, who is also a Fox Sports colleague, quickly defended Strahan on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). In a heartfelt post, Glazer highlighted Strahan’s strong connection to the military, rooted in his upbringing on an army base with his father, Major Gene Strahan. Glazer stated that Strahan’s respect for the military is deeply ingrained, making the accusations of protest seem baseless. “If you ask him, he’d tell you he wasn’t protesting anything,” Glazer wrote. “He was simply caught up in the beauty of the moment during the anthem.”
As the debate rages online, Strahan himself has chosen to remain silent, avoiding any statements that could fuel the issue. With Fox Sports standing by his side and refusing to penalize him, Strahan sees no need to address the controversy further. For him, it’s a matter of moving past a misinterpreted gesture and refocusing on his work, knowing that those close to him understand his respect for the anthem and the occasion it represents.
