Fox Sports won’t punish Michael Strahan after national anthem controversy

Michael Strahan will not face any punishments or fines from Fox Sports after the former Giants great and current analyst took significant heat for not placing his hand over his heart during the national anthem.

During a special “Fox NFL Sunday” broadcast in honor of Veterans Day from Naval Base San Diego, Strahan was seen with his fingers interlocked near his waist while his panel colleagues all had their hands over their hearts. 

While Strahan was only seen briefly on the broadcast as this occurred, it was enough to draw criticism on social media from some who viewed the gesture as unpatriotic. 

A source told the Daily Mail on Monday that there “isn’t going to be any type of punishment or fine going Michael’s way” and the person described the noise as “an internet controversy.” 

Strahan’s colleagues came to his defense and Strahan himself has deep ties to the military through his father, who spent 23 years in the United States Army and was a member of the decorated 82nd Airborn Division. 

Strahan may address the controversy at a later time, though there is some hesitation because “he almost doesn’t want to address the controversy to give it more life,” the Daily Mail reported the source saying.

“Michael wants Veterans Day to be for those men and women who deserve it and deserve the praise, to be in the conversation this way and to extend the talk on what people think he was doing, it would be a disservice to what the day means,” the source said. 

“’Michael was in the moment and in no way shape or form objecting to the moment at hand. This was an internet controversy that was never in his thoughts to start,” the source later told the outlet.

Strahan has not directly addressed the situation since it took on a life of its own on Sunday. 

He did post a tribute to his father, Major Gene W. Strahan Sr., on social media which included a photo of his dad in his military uniform. 

“Thank you to all veterans and active service members who courageously risk their lives to protect us every day,” Strahan wrote. “Your selfless service is beyond measure. This is my hero, it is also my father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan, Sr.”

He added: “Just as I honor my father, I keep all of you in my thoughts each and every day as we would not have the safety and freedoms we cherish without you. Thank You.”