Michael Strahan Defends Actions During Anthem

Michael Strahan faced significant backlash after he did not place his hand over his heart during the national anthem while broadcasting from a naval base for the NFL on Fox's Veterans Day special. Critics on social media accused him of being unpatriotic and disrespectful to the military, despite Strahan's strong ties to the armed forces, including growing up in a military family. In response, Strahan clarified on Instagram that he has no protest intentions and expressed his deep respect for the military, stating, 'I love the military, I’ve always loved the military.' He explained that he was caught up in the moment and felt panic over how to react at that time, ultimately wanting to maintain respect. Supporters defended him, arguing that those without military experience should be cautious about judging his actions. Strahan emphasized that offending veterans was never his intent and reaffirmed his pride in his military upbringing.