• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

A Giant Accomplishment, Strahan Elected to the Hall of Fame

ByVernon McKenzie

Feb 5, 2014


(Photo Courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas/ US Presswire)

On Saturday, Michael Strahan was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after missing out on his first year of eligibility last year. Strahan was elected just two days before the six-year anniversary of the Giants incredible Super Bowl 42 upset victory. During the week before he was voted in, Strahan took criticism from now fellow Hall of Famer Warren Sapp.

Sapp claiming, “I don’t think his resume stacks up.” Strahan would then fire back by saying “The tiger does not pay attention to the opinion of a sheep.” And so back and forth the feud went on during the week. Former teammates of Strahan, Amani Toomer and Justin Tuck jumped into Strahan’s defense when they had heard what Sapp had said about their former leader. Osi Umenyiora would also talk on the radio of the greatness that he saw in Michael Strahan. Then in a turn of events Sapp would run into Strahan just hours after he was officially voted in to the Hall of Fame. Sapp would apologize to Strahan and beg for his forgiveness.



(Photo Courtesy of AP/Getty)

The Hall of Fame is a great accomplishment for the former Giants All Pro defensive end who has moved on to a very successful post NFL career. Strahan went on to TV after he retired following the Super Bowl victory back six years ago in 2008. He can also now be seencohosting live with Kelly and Michael every weekday morning after taking over for Regis Philbin in 2012. During the NFL season he also does the Fox NFL Sundays. Strahan also made one appearance on Pros vs. Joes as well as acting and producing a short lived show called Brothers, which also aired on Fox.


(Photo Courtesy of Dave Russell, Disney/ABC Domestic Television)

Despite Strahan’s post NFL success he didn’t forget what the hall of fame means to him or the people who helped him get there. Talking about the honor Strahan said, “The years I played went by really fast. And it feels good that all the hard work I put into it and all the dedication I put into it and all the teammates that I played with that helped me get this far, it all paid off. There are a lot of great players in the Hall of Fame. But you don’t go in by yourself. You have all your teammates, your coaches, your family, your friends and a lot of people that encourage you along the way. I have to thank every one of them as well.”

Strahan played fifteen years in the NFL, all of which he spent with the Giants. The Giants drafted him in the second round in 1993. Strahan is well known for the trademark of the gap between his front teeth but to the Giants he was a leader for many of the years he spent with the team. His resume is impressive: seven Pro Bowl appearances, four first team All Pro selections, two second team All Pro selections, an NFL player of the year honor, two NFC player of the year honors, a Super Bowl championship, the NFL’s single season sack record, and now he has the Hall of Fame honor as well. Strahan also has the fifth most sacks in NFL history only behind Bruce Smith, Reggie White, Kevin Greene, and Chris Doleman. His single season sack record of 22 and a half sacks is also one of his well known records.


(Photo Courtesy of Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America)

During his time with the Giants they went to the Super Bowl in 2000 where the Baltimore Ravens would embarrass them. Strahan seemed to be close to retirement following the 2006 season, as he didn’t show up to training camp. As the season approached Strahan did decide to come back for the 2007 season. In that 2007 season, the Giants would go on to win the Super Bowl against the heavily favored 18-0 New England Patriots in the biggest upset in NFL history. Strahan would retire on top following the super bowl victory.


(Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)

The Hall of Fame is a great honor, which a number of players will tell you Strahan deserves. Any debates over his Hall of Fame credentials were put to rest on Saturday when he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

PureSportsNY: Tyler Henry

By Vernon McKenzie

Graduate of New Institute Of Technology with a BA in Communications with a focus on Television Radio. Owner and Executive Producer of PureSportsNY

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.