Michael Strahan has issued a lengthy apology video on his social media accounts regarding the controversy surrounding his choosing not to have his hand over his heart while the national anthem played.
The incident in question occurred when ‘FOX’s NFL Sunday’ broadcast took place in San Diego, with Strahan, Jay Glazer, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Curt Menefee, and others standing in front of U.S. military personnel. While the “Star-Spangled Banner” played, Strahan was the only member of the crew who had his arms crossed in front of him.
Fans on social media quickly pointed out the moment, claiming the former Super Bowl champion was pushing an anti-military agenda with his decision to not have his hand over his heart. In a video posted to his personal Instagram, Strahan apologized for his actions and explained his side of the story, especially after he shoved a camera out of his face.
“Everybody, it’s Michael here and I want to address what happened this past weekend,” the video began. “And I feel like I need to address it because it’s spilled over to the point where I get out of my car today and I’m ambushed by a media outlet here at my house which – I’m not proud of the way I handled that whole situation – but I think anybody out there can understand the things you’re gonna do. You’re gonna protect your family and you’re gonna protect your home, which is what I felt like I needed to do in that moment and it all stemmed from this past weekend in San Diego with my FOX crew.
“Two days in San Diego with the Navy SEALs and with all the other sailors there and then a two-hour show praising the military and all that they’ve done for us, celebrating Veterans Day and we had our national anthem. I didn’t have my hand over my chest everyone thought He’s protesting, he’s making a statement, which is so far from the truth.
“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 ‘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’s 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.”
Along with explaining his military background and why he has no reason to disrespect the military, the 52-year-old gave fans an insight into what was going through his mind as he attempted to explain himself. “And if you want the truth, I’ll tell you the truth is that I was caught up in the moment,” Strahan added.
“I’m looking at all these young sailors standing there at attention before the national anthem played and I’m thinking to myself How incredible. How incredible to be that young and to know that you want to do this like it’s such a commitment but you’re willing to commit to something that you know gives us our freedoms plain and simple.
“I’m just sitting here in amazement, in which I’m always amazed because I don’t take it for granted no matter where we go around the world from Afghanistan to all the military institutions here in this country. And by the time I looked up from that moment, all my five guys had their hands over their hearts, the national anthem playing, I somewhat panic and I’m like Do I be the fool that puts his hand over his heart after or do I just stand here with my hand in front of me respectfully? which that’s what I did. That’s what happened.”