Michael Strahan Faces Backlash Over Awkward Bill Belichick GMA Interview

Michael Strahan's recent interview with North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick on Good Morning America faced heavy criticism from sports commentator Chris "Mad Dog" Russo, who called it "one of the most awkward interviews" and condemned ABC for essentially letting Belichick control the questions. Russo argued that ABC compromised journalistic integrity by allowing Belichick to dictate the interview topics, which led to many pressing issues—such as his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, the benching of Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII, and his exclusion of Patriots owner Robert Kraft from his book—being left unaddressed. Strahan was seen as being put in a difficult position, as he is not a hard-hitting journalist like Mike Wallace, and thus did not challenge Belichick on controversial subjects. Belichick's relationship with Hudson has been widely scrutinized, including reports of Hudson’s involvement in his professional affairs and bans from UNC facilities, yet these topics were mostly avoided during the interview. Russo expressed frustration that the interview lacked accountability and depth, suggesting that Belichick used the platform to avoid controversy by steering the conversation. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in sports journalism where interview subjects can influence or limit the scope of questioning.