Jay Glazer addresses Michael Strahan national anthem controversy
Veteran NFL reporter Jay Glazer on Monday addressed the controversy involving his friend and co-worker, Michael Strahan.
Strahan, who played in the NFL with the New York Giants from 1993-2007, has been a member of FOX’s NFL team since his retirement. On Sunday, FOX’s NFL team broadcast its pregame show from Naval Base San Diego in recognition of Veterans Day.
While other members of the FOX crew stood with their hands over their hearts for the national anthem, Strahan kept his hands down. Strahan being the only member of the crew not to have his hand over his heart drew negative attention.
Why couldn’t Michael Strahan put his hand over his heart during the US Navy Band playing the National Anthem? pic.twitter.com/xFewHX2jAT
— Sierra (@sierra_rak) November 10, 2024
Glazer (second from left) was present for the show and stood with his right hand over his left heart. On Monday, he shared a post on X to address the matter and stand up for Strahan.
“I’ve just seen the criticism of @michaelstrahan,” Glazer wrote. “Let me tell you this, I don’t know if I have a friend who is more proud of his military roots than Michael, growing up on an army base constantly talking about what he learned from his dad Major Gene Strahan and how his time there shaped him. I heard it CONSTANTLY, still do!
“But also, with no fanfare i (sic) personally saw him donate thousands of dollars of clothes to veterans, including many homeless veterans as well clothes for veterans to go on job interviews.
“I know these days people want to be angry fast but maybe first, how is THIS for a novel idea. ASK him if he’s protesting something. When you protest you want people to know, don’t ya? He was NOT, just got caught up in how beautiful the whole moment was during the anthem and didn’t think about it. Ask the dude before forming an angry mob, but also maybe find out alllll he’s done for our veterans over the years.”
Glazer’s point is that Strahan’s actions were unintentional. Strahan himself has not commented on the matter.
As Glazer mentioned in his post, Strahan is the son of a retired Army Major.