Former football star and current sports analyst Michael Strahan has finally responded to criticism he received for the way he stood during a rendition of the National Anthem. The controversy began on November 10 during a Veterans Day special broadcast from Naval Base San Diego. As the Anthem is played during the broadcast, Strahan can be seen amongst the crowd with his fingers laced in front of him resting at his waist, rather than his right hand over his heart as is traditional and can be seen throughout the crowd. The video drew criticism across social media, with one user writing on X, “What’s up @NFLonFOX why do you hire anti American sportscasters for your show[?] He can not even show respect for the flag or national anthem.” Others called for Strahan to be cancelled or fired.

Some did defend Strahan, claiming the criticism was overblown. “Michael Strahan’s dad served in the Army for 23 years,” wrote one user. “He grew up on a US Army base in Germany and has given a ton of money to veteran charities. He’s standing quietly at attention. We need to stop getting so upset at every little thing.” Fox Sports also defended him. Strahan initially remained silent on the controversy, reportedly snatching a phone from a Daily Mail reporter who tried to ask him about the incident on Tuesday. The reporter asked Strahan about the controversy outside Strahan’s home, to which Strahan responded, “Don’t come to my house, man!” before throwing the reporter’s phone into a bush and entering his home.

However, Strahan finally issued a response to the controversy on social media, stating he felt the need to respond after it “spilled over.” He first referred to the incident with the reporter, stating he felt “ambushed” and needed to protect his family but that he wasn’t proud of the way he’d reacted. Referring to his stance during the Anthem, he said the pose was not meant to be any sort of statement. “I have nothing to protest, I have no statement to be made. The only statement that should be made that I want to make is I love the military, I’ve always loved the military, and I will always love the military,” he said. He also apologized if his stance offended anyone in the military.  He explained his stance by stating he was “caught up in the moment.” “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 wanna do this. It’s such a commitment but you’re willing to commit to something that, you know, gives us our freedoms.’ Plain and simple.” He stated by the time he realized the Anthem was being played and others were standing with their hands over their heart, he felt it would be less distracting to remain with his hands respectfully in front of him. “I somewhat panic and I’m like, ‘Do I be the fool that puts his hand over his heart after [the anthem starts]? Or do I just stand here with my hands in front of me respectfully?’ Which, that is what I did and that’s what happened,” he insisted.