Fox Sports analyst Michael Strahan has made a heartfelt gesture to a military veteran during Sunday's NFL broadcast, exactly one year after facing intense criticism for his conduct during the national anthem.
From Controversy to Compassion
The former NFL star found himself at the centre of a storm in 2024 when he failed to place his hand over his heart during the Star Spangled Banner at the San Diego Naval Base. The incident occurred during Fox's Veterans Day coverage and sparked immediate outrage across social media platforms.
At the time, Newsmax host Todd Starnes led the criticism, branding Strahan's behaviour "repugnant" and "cowardly" given the military setting. Many viewers called for the network to terminate his contract, with one social media user demanding: "Fire Michael Strahan! This is unacceptable!"
A Meaningful Make-Up Gesture
This year, Strahan appeared determined to avoid any repeat of the controversy. During Sunday's pre-game show, he participated actively in tributes to military personnel and made a particularly generous offer to former army veteran John Dinwiddle.
The touching moment unfolded when host Charissa Thompson interviewed Dinwiddle, revealing that the veteran was attempting to "get back into the workforce." Strahan then surprised everyone by announcing he would provide Dinwiddle with a brand new suit from his own clothing company to assist with his job search.
"I know we're here for football," Strahan told viewers earlier in the broadcast, "but this is about our armed service. So thank you to everybody here, everybody around the world, you gave us our freedom."
Mixed Reactions from Viewers
The gesture received widespread praise on social media platforms, though some remained sceptical about its sincerity. One enthusiastic supporter wrote: "What an incredible gesture from Michael Strahan – fantastic support!" while another simply commented "awesome."
However, not all responses were positive. One critic suggested: "More like the National Fake League they don't give [two] s***s about Veterans," while another described the segment as "a sham for the show."
The 52-year-old analyst's redemption effort comes almost exactly a year after the controversial incident where he stood with his hands interlocked during the anthem while his colleagues all placed hands over hearts. The timing suggests a carefully considered attempt to rebuild his relationship with military families and the broader viewing public.
