Fox Sports Will Not Punish Michael Strahan for Veteran’s Day Controversy
Michael Strahan will not be reprimanded by Fox Sports after facing massive criticism over his refusal to place his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem on Veteran’s Day.
The incident took place at Naval Base San Diego during a “Fox NFL Sunday” special broadcast honoring the men and women who served in the military. The former NFL player was seen with his fingers interlocked as the rest of his colleagues stood with their hands over their hearts as “The Star-Spangled Banner” played.
There “isn’t going to be any type of punishment or fine going Michael’s way,” a source told the Daily Mail on Monday, describing the backlash as “an internet controversy.”
While the moment was brief, it was enough to create a social media firestorm almost immediately, with calls for Strahan to be boycotted and fired.
“Michael Strahan can’t respect his country/military men & women he’s surrounded by on this ship by simply putting his hand over his heart, but he’s happy to encourage child drag queens…Sickening,” wrote conservative commentator Jon Root.
“I had no idea @michaelstrahan was anti-American, but I respect his right to tell every Veteran to f-off. He has the freedom of speech, not the freedom of reach so I’m tuning out. Strahan I’m out…” wrote conservative account @amuse.
“Beta male @michaelstrahan refuses to honor the National Anthem today. This guy is a Democrat propagandist on TV who masquerades as an unbiased news host,” another upset X user wrote.
As Strahan continued to receive criticism, his colleagues rushed to his defense.
“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 told the outlet.
The source later added, “’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.’”
While Strahan has not publicly addressed the situation, he did write a social media post honoring his father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan Sr., who served in the Army for 23 years and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.
“Thank you to all veterans and active service members who courageously risk their lives to protect us every day. Your selfless service is beyond measure,” he wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of his father.
“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,” he concluded. “Thank You.”
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When he is GMA and any other news channel he is suppose to report the news, not his opinion, he was at a service to honor veterans not force his view on Veterans or what this day stands for…he should be fired from ALL networks!