Michael Strahan fires back at critics claiming disrespect during anthem on Veterans Day broadcast

Michael Strahan responded to criticism from those who were upset that he did not place his right hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem on the “FOX NFL Sunday” Veterans Day broadcast from Naval Base San Diego.

In an Instagram post, Strahan said he has “nothing to protest,” adding that he loves the military and “will always love the military.”

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“I didn’t have my hand over my chest,” Strahan said Tuesday. “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 statement to be made. 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.”

Strahan, the Pro Football Hall of Famer, comes from a military family. He grew up on a military base in Mannheim, West Germany, with his father, Major Gene W. Strahan Sr., who served 23 years in the Army. He made a post about his father on Veterans Day, honoring him as a “proud member of the 82nd Airborne Division.” Strahan said that his brother, sister and cousins all served in the military.

Michael Strahan offers apology to veterans

“The fact of somebody saying I’m unpatriotic couldn’t be any further from the truth. And if you want the truth, I’ll tell you: The truth is that I was caught up in the moment,” Strahan said. “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?’

“Like, it’s such a commitment, but you’re willing to commit to something that you know gives us our freedoms, plain and simple. I’m just sitting there in amazement. I’m always amazed because I don’t take it for granted.”

He admitted that after getting caught up in the moment, he realized he was the only one without his right hand over his heart.

“I somewhat panicked, and I’m like, ‘Do I be the fool that puts his hand over his heart after? Or do I just stand here with my hands in front of me respectfully?’ Which, that’s what I did. And that’s what happened,” Strahan said.

Strahan apologized to any veterans he offended.

“I’m a product of the military,” Strahan said. “A proud lover of the military and a proud lover of all those who served before now and who will serve in the future.”