Michael Strahan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Michael Strahan

Strahan in 2022
No. 92
Position:	Defensive end
Personal information
Born:	(1971-11-21) November 21, 1971 (age 53) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	255 lb (116 kg)
Career information
High school:	Westbury (Houston, Texas)
College:	Texas Southern (1989–1992)
NFL Draft:	1993 / Round: 2 / Pick: 40
Career history
New York Giants (1993)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLII) NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001) 4× First-team All-Pro (1997, 1998, 2001, 2003) 2× Second-team All-Pro (2002, 2005) 7× Pro Bowl (1997–1999, 2001–2003, 2005) 2× NFL sacks leader (2001, 2003) NFL forced fumbles co-leader (2001) NFL 2000s All-Decade Team New York Giants Ring of Honor New York Giants No. 92 retired NFL record Sacks in a season: 22.5
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 854 Sacks: 141.5 Forced fumbles: 24 Fumble recoveries: 15 Interceptions: 4 Defensive touchdowns: 3
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Michael Anthony Strahan (born November 21, 1971) is a famous American TV host, journalist, and former professional football player. He played his entire 15-year career as a defensive end for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL).

Strahan was known for being a great pass rusher. He holds the NFL record for the most quarterback sacks in a single season with 22.5. This record was later matched by T. J. Watt in 2021. In his last season in 2007, he helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots. He was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

After retiring from football, Strahan became a well-known media personality. He works as a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday. He also co-hosted Good Morning America on ABC and Live! with Kelly and Michael with Kelly Ripa. For his work on Live!, he won two Daytime Emmy Awards. He also hosts the game show Pyramid for ABC.

Early Life and Football Beginnings

Michael Strahan was born in Houston, Texas. His uncle, Art Strahan, was also an NFL defensive lineman. When Michael was nine years old, his family moved to a military base in Mannheim, West Germany.

While in Germany, Strahan went to Mannheim American High School. He played linebacker for the school's football team, the Mannheim Bison. Before his senior year, his father sent him back to Houston to live with his uncle Art. Strahan played one season of football at Westbury High School. This single season was enough for him to earn a scholarship to Texas Southern University.

College Football Career

Strahan followed his uncle Art's path by playing defensive end at Texas Southern University. He was so good that opposing teams often used two players to try and block him. This strategy was even called "Strahan rules" by his coaches.

By his junior year, Strahan was seen as a potential NFL player. In his senior year (1992), he was named to the All-America first-team. He had 68 tackles and set a school record with 19 quarterback sacks. He was also named Division I-AA Defensive Player of the Year. Strahan led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) with 14.5 sacks in 1991. His 41.5 career sacks are still a Texas Southern record. He was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.

Professional Football Career

Joining the New York Giants

The New York Giants picked Strahan in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played in only six games during his first season due to injuries. After a few quiet seasons, Strahan had a fantastic year in 1997, getting 14 sacks. He was chosen for his first Pro Bowl and was named First-team All-Pro. In 1998, he continued his success with 15 sacks and another Pro Bowl selection. In 1999, he even scored a game-winning touchdown by returning an interception 44 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Key Seasons and Records

Strahan was a big part of the 2000 Giants team that made it to Super Bowl XXXV. Even though they had a great win in the NFC Championship Game, the Baltimore Ravens were too strong, and the Giants lost 34–7.

From 1997 to 2005, Strahan was one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. He was named the 2001 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He also won NFC Defensive Player of the Year twice (2001 and 2003). In 2004, he was injured with a torn muscle, which limited him to only four sacks. But he bounced back in 2005, returning to the Pro Bowl. He and teammate Osi Umenyiora combined for 26 sacks, making the Giants' defense very strong. Many experts and players thought Strahan was the best at his position during his prime. He was also considered one of the best defensive ends at stopping the run.

Setting the Single Season Sack Record

In the 2001 season, Strahan set a new NFL record for most sacks in a single season with 22.5. This broke the previous record of 22 sacks held by Mark Gastineau. In the last game of that season, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre slid down, allowing Strahan to get an easy sack. This play helped Strahan achieve the record.

Super Bowl Victory and Retirement

On October 23, 2006, Strahan tied Lawrence Taylor for the Giants' franchise record for career sacks with 132.5. However, he suffered a foot injury two weeks later and missed the rest of the season.

Many thought Strahan would retire after the 2006 season, but he decided to play one more year. His 15th and final season was a memorable one, as the Giants won their first championship since 1990. On September 30, 2007, he set a new franchise record with 133.5 career sacks.

On February 3, 2008, Strahan played in Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Arizona. He had two tackles and one sack in the game. The Giants pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NFL history, beating the previously undefeated New England Patriots 17–14. This gave Strahan his first Super Bowl win. His final moment as a Giant was accepting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Michael Strahan officially retired from the NFL on June 9, 2008. He finished his career with 141.5 sacks (fifth all-time when he retired), 854 tackles, four interceptions, 24 forced fumbles, and three touchdowns in 200 games. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl seven times.

In 2014, Strahan was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. During Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, he performed the ceremonial coin toss. On November 3, 2014, he received his Hall of Fame ring during a Giants game. On November 28, 2021, the Giants retired his number 92 jersey.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Awards and Honors

Michael Strahan has received many awards and honors throughout his career:

• Super Bowl XLII champion
• Four-time first-team All-Pro (meaning he was one of the best players at his position)
• Seven-time Pro Bowl selection (chosen to play in the NFL's all-star game)
• AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2001)
• Named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
• His number 92 jersey was retired by the New York Giants in 2021

College and Media Awards

• Associated Press first-team college-division All-American (1992)
• Two-time winner of the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host (2015, 2016)

Halls of Fame

• New York Giants Ring of Honor (2010)
• Pro Football Hall of Fame (2014)
• Black College Football Hall of Fame (2014)
• Received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2023)
• College Football Hall of Fame (2025)

Media Career

After his football career, Michael Strahan became a very successful media personality.

Fox NFL Sunday

Strahan (center) with his Fox NFL Sunday co-hosts at Bagram Airfield in 2009

In 2008, Strahan joined the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show. He works alongside other football legends like Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long. When Fox started broadcasting Thursday Night Football in 2018, Strahan also began hosting the Fox NFL Thursday pregame show. This show is filmed in New York City to fit his busy schedule.

Live! and Good Morning America

Strahan first appeared as a guest host on Live! with Regis and Kelly in 2010. After many guest appearances, he became Kelly Ripa's permanent co-host in 2012. The show was then renamed Live! with Kelly and Michael. The show's ratings quickly improved.

In 2016, ABC announced that Strahan would leave Live! to work full-time on Good Morning America. During his time on Live!, he and Kelly Ripa won two Daytime Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Talk Show Host."

In 2018, Strahan started co-hosting a daytime talk show called GMA Day with Sara Haines. It was later renamed Strahan and Sara, and then Strahan, Sara and Keke when Keke Palmer joined. The show stopped airing in 2020 due to news coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The $100,000 Pyramid

In 2016, ABC announced that Strahan would host a new version of the game show The $100,000 Pyramid. Strahan said that Pyramid was one of his favorite game shows when he was growing up. The show has been renewed for several seasons.

Other TV Appearances

• Strahan hosted Backyard Stadiums, a home improvement show on DIY Network.
• He guest-starred on an episode of Chuck in 2008.
• He played Michael Trainor in the TV sitcom Brothers in 2009.
• In 2015, he competed on Lip Sync Battle.
• He was a guest on the show Wild 'n Out in 2014.
• Strahan played Augustus in the 2015 movie Magic Mike XXL.
• He guest-starred in a Halloween episode of Black-ish.
• In 2019, Strahan had a small role in the movie Charlie's Angels.
• In 2023, Strahan was a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars.

Advertising and Business

• Strahan has appeared in commercials for Vaseline Men and Subway.
• He also did a commercial for CA Technologies.
• In 2015, Strahan wrote a motivational book called Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life.
• On September 8, 2015, he launched his own men's clothing line with JCPenney. This line includes suits, blazers, shirts, and accessories.

Spaceflight

On December 11, 2021, Strahan took a suborbital space flight aboard the Blue Origin NS-19 rocket. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he became the tallest person to fly in space. Strahan and the other crew members were the last to receive the FAA Commercial Space Astronaut Wings.

Public Image

Many people recognize Michael Strahan by the gap between his two front teeth, which has become his signature look.

Personal Life

Michael Strahan's uncle, Art Strahan, also played as a defensive lineman in the NFL.

Strahan was married to Wanda Hutchins from 1992 to 1996. They have a daughter, Tanita, and a son, Michael Jr. He later married Jean Muggli in 1999. They had twin daughters, Isabella and Sophia, born in 2004. Their divorce was finalized in 2006.

In 2009, Strahan became engaged to Nicole Mitchell, but they ended their engagement in 2014. Since about 2015, Strahan has been dating Kayla Quick.

Charity Work

In 2002, Strahan allowed the Junior League of Montclair-Newark to use his newly renovated mansion for a charity fundraiser. The League decorated the house and held tours to raise money for programs that help children and low-income families.

In 2008, Strahan and his Giants teammate Justin Tuck worked with Nike to design special sneakers. All the money from selling these sneakers went to Nike's Let Me Play global campaign. In December 2018, Strahan volunteered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and was part of their holiday promotions.

Images for kids

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  Strahan in 2022

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  Strahan (center) with his Fox NFL Sunday co-hosts at Bagram Airfield in 2009

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  Strahan taping an episode of Live! with Michelle Obama.