Michael Strahan returned to the nation’s screens on Tuesday morning for the first time since he caused outrage by not placing his hand over his heart during the national anthem.
Strahan was part of FOX’s Sunday NFL coverage leading up to Veterans Day, but his decision not to join his fellow anchors in putting their hands on their chest led fans to call for him to be fired from his position.
He was absent from ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday, and the hosts did not mention the controversy, but he returned Tuesday morning and opened the show at 7 a.m. ET.
Despite returning, his national anthem gaffe has yet to be mentioned, and Strahan has yet to directly reference the awkward moment.
About 15 minutes into Tuesday’s episode, the hosts turned their attention to the NFL, specifically referencing a moment during Monday Night Football in which a soldier was reunited with his family on Veterans Day.
Michael Strahan was back in front of cameras Tuesday after his national anthem gaffe.
Strahan (left) opened the show but chose not to reference his weekend controversy.
Despite the similarities to the topic Strahan sparked controversy over, the host remained silent and chose not to reference or apologize for Sunday’s mistake.
On Monday, he shared a photo of his father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan Sr, on Instagram during his time in the military, 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.’
Late on Monday, DailyMail.com revealed that Fox Sports will not punish or fine Strahan despite public outrage.
Strahan (right) has been criticized for not placing his hand over his heart during the anthem.
The NFL analyst shared a photo of his ex-military father and paid tribute to America’s veterans
Fox Sports faced an avalanche of calls from viewers and fans to fire the former New York Giants defensive end and Super Bowl winner.
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.’
Social media was ablaze with comments about Strahan’s ‘disrespectful’ gesture on Sunday
Strahan has been a co-host of the popular morning talk show Good Morning America since 2016. It’s unclear whether his absence from Monday’s show was pre-planned or a late decision, but his appearance in San Diego on Sunday would suggest he was not He was due to return to New York less than 24 hours later.
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.”
The former Giants star photographed with his daughters Sophia (second from left) and Isabella (third from left) along with his girlfriend Kayla Quick (right).
DailyMail.com understands that Fox Sports will not impose any sanctions on the analyst
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.