Michael Strahan (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for EBONY)
Former New York Giants star Michael Strahan has landed a massive gig on the back of his national anthem controversy.
Strahan has been taking a lot of heat after being shown with his hands clasped in front of him while “The Star-Spangled Banner” played during the NFL on FOX crew’s visit to a naval base before Veteran’s Day.
Not only has the network ignored calls for the former defensive end to be fired, they have also handed him a sweet new gig.
According to racing reporter Bob Pockrass, Strahan will be a special honorary pace-car driver for the Indy 500 when it comes to FOX Sports next year.
Fans were not pleased with the announcement.
“Maybe he can respect the Flag this time!” someone exclaimed.
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“Talk about not being able to read a room….” said another.
“so he can be un patriotic and not hold his hand over his heart again!” a user wrote.
“So he can continue being unpatriotic and not caring about America or our troops? SHAMEFUL,” another asked.
What Michael Strahan Had To Say About His Actions During The National Anthem
Strahan addressed the controversy in a video posted to his Instagram account a few days after the incident, explaining that he was simply lost in the moment.
“I have nothing to protest, I have no statement to be made,” he said. “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. I do so many programs to help veterans and soldiers. I grew up on a military base with a father who was 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.”
Given that the Indy 500 is the biggest racing event in the world, this is pretty significant. That FOX would assign it to him proves they’re standing with their man.
VIDEO: Angry Michael Strahan Goes Full Jason Kelce As He Snatches Reporter’s Phone After Question About National Anthem Controversy
Michael Strahan (Photos via Daily Mail & FOX)
It appears the Michael Strahan drama won’t be going away anytime soon.
The former NFL star has been under fire since Sunday after what was considered to be an improper pose during the national anthem during FOX’s pregame show.
Strahan, a four-time first-team All-Pro, was shown with his hands in front of him while “The Star-Spangled Banner” was being played, with the FOX crew having visited a naval base in San Diego ahead of Veteran’s Day.
There have been calls for FOX to fire him after his “disrespectful” actions.
Michael Strahan Channels Inner Jason Kelce
The network isn’t going to punish Strahan over Sunday’s controversy, but he might be in hot water over something that happened on Tuesday.
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Strahan was approached by a Daily Mail reporter while trying to enter his house after returning from ‘Good Morning America.’ You can hear him telling the journo, “Don’t come to my house.”
He then grabs his cell phone.
Check it out in the clip below:
Strahan is said to have tossed the phone into a nearby bush before entering his townhouse with his girlfriend, Kayla Quick.
This incident takes place after former Eagles star Jason Kelce was seen grabbing and smashing a Penn State fan’s phone before a game two weekends ago.
