Fox Sports will not punish or fine Michael Strahan after the former NFL star came under fire for not putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem.
On Sunday, Strahan was on the Fox Sports panel, alongside the likes of Terry Bradshaw and Rob Gronkowski, as they broadcast from Naval Base San Diego ahead of Veterans Day.
When the national anthem played, with a large number of military personnel surrounding the team, Strahan decided to keep his hands in front of him, causing outrage among many fans.
Fox Sports faced an avalanche of calls from viewers and fans to fire the former New York Giants defensive end and Super Bowl winner.
However, DailyMail.com understands that the network will not impose any sanctions.
Michael Strahan (right) has been criticized for not placing his hand over his heart during Sunday’s national anthem.
However, DailyMail.com understands that Fox Sports will not impose any sanctions on the analyst.
A source said: “His teammates are backing him and understand he wasn’t taking advantage of the moment for himself.” There will be no punishment or fine for Michael’s way.
“He may address it, but he’s weighing his options because he never thought this would have happened.” He knows the man he is and almost doesn’t want to address the controversy to give it more life.
“Michael wants Veterans Day to be for those men and women who deserve it and deserve praise, to be in the conversation like this and extend the talk about what people think he was doing, would be a disservice to what means the day.’
Strahan’s Fox colleague Jay Glazer came to his defense on Monday, insisting: “I don’t know if I have a friend who is more proud of his military roots than Michael.”
The source continued: ‘The topic was never broached at this time. All this came later, when the trolls got to work.
‘You have to think, imagine all the times you are at a game or an event that has the National Anthem and they ask you if you are able to get up, to do it.
“Everyone in those stadiums or rooms is a person who doesn’t have their hand over their heart, including yourself. It doesn’t mean you’re disrespecting anything, it’s just what’s happening in the moment.
‘Michael was in the moment and in no way objected to the current moment. This was an internet controversy that never thought to start.
“Michael hopes to be removed from this controversy as soon as it has been created, he will live his life and worry about what he can control, that’s all he hopes for.”
The former Giants star photographed with his daughters Sophia (second from left) and Isabella (third from left) along with his girlfriend Kayla Quick (right).
The NFL analyst shared a photo of his ex-military father and paid tribute to America’s veterans
Earlier Monday, Strahan spoke out amid outrage over his controversial act.
He shared a photo of his father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan Sr, during his time in the military on Instagram while paying tribute to veterans across the United States.
“Thank you to all the veterans and active duty service members who bravely risk their lives to protect us every day,” he wrote in his story. ‘Your selfless service is beyond measure.
‘Just as I honor my father, I keep you all in my thoughts every day, as without you we would not have the security and freedoms we cherish. Thank you.’
Strahan has also been a co-host of the popular morning talk show Good Morning America since 2016. However, he was absent from Monday’s show.
After he was seen not covering his heart during the Star Spangled Banner, the 52-year-old was branded “unpatriotic” by furious Americans who took to social media to vent their frustrations.
Along with a photo of the moment, Newsmax host Todd Starnes first posted: ‘Michael Strahan disrespected the military during a Veterans Day pregame show on @NFLonFOX.
‘The great irony is that Strahan is on a ship surrounded by men and women who would be willing to sacrifice their lives to protect his freedom. Therefore, his behavior is not only disgusting, but downright cowardly.”
Another fan commented: ‘What the hell is wrong with Michael Strahan!? On fucking Veterans Day! Boo, @NFL. Boo, @NFLonFOX. It’s not right.’
A third added: ‘Fire Michael Strahan! This is unacceptable!’
‘@NFLonFOX Michael Strahan, along with the US military honoring Veterans Day, fails to show honor and respect during the National Anthem… Wow!’ wrote another.
Another said Strahan’s decision was “disrespectful to all veterans and Americans.”
‘Why doesn’t Michael Strahan put his hand over his heart during the performance of our National Anthem?’ asked a fan.
Strahan has also been accused of distorted priorities after NFL fans dug up a previous interview he did with a young drag queen.
In 2018, Strahan interviewed ‘Desmond Is Amazing’ on Good Morning America.
A clip of her interview with ‘Desmond Is Amazing’, one of the ‘youngest and first drag queens/girls’, resurfaced.
Now Desi Napoles, they started doing drag at the age of eight and appeared on Good Morning America six years ago.
A one-minute clip resurfaced on social media, showing them dancing in the GMA crowd before joining the hosts for an interview.
“Michael Strahan can’t respect his country’s military men (and) women around him on this ship by simply putting his hand over his heart, but he’s happy to cheer on childish drag queens… It’s disgusting,” wrote one fan.
‘It has fallen so far. Sad,” wrote another. “A total shame, plain and simple,” added a third.