Michael Strahan Responds To National Anthem Controversy In Candid Video: ‘So Far From The Truth’

Michael Strahan is setting the record straight on his national anthem controversy. The TV personality, 52, spoke out days after backlash ignited when he didn’t put his hand over his heart during “The Star-Spangled Banner” on Fox NFL’s live Veteran’s Day tribute. Michael explained himself in a candid Instagram video on Nov. 12 and shut down speculation that he was sending a deliberate message. “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 statements to be made,” Strahan said in part, adding, “The only statement that should be made and that I wanna make is that I love the military. I’ve always loved the military, and I will always love the military. … The fact that someone would say that I’m unpatriotic couldn’t be further from the truth.” Though he apologized to any military members who may have been offended, the former NFL player expressed his admiration for the sailors on hand at San Diego’s naval base and shared that he was simply taking in the powerful moment. Strahan also appeared to acknowledge a paparazzi run-in he had in which he was seen grabbing the phone of a reporter who was waiting outside his home and trying to get a comment from him on the scandal. The Fox Sports anchor said he ”was not proud” of how he handled the situation but hoped fans would understand his perspective if they heard it directly from him. Strahan’s co-host Jay Glazer previously defended him in a post on X, pointing out how Strahan regularly honors his military roots and his dad, Maj. Gene Strahan, for 23 years of Army service.