If you need extra proof that America is extra divided than ever, look no additional than Michael Strahan.
Regardless of studies of friction at Good Morning America, Michael Strahan’s profession as a TV journalist continues going sturdy.
Nevertheless, on Veteran’s Day, he discovered himself pooled along with the likes of Colin Kaepernick and others who’ve been slammed over their “etiquette” in the course of the Nationwide Anthem
There are even those that are going so noticed as demanding he be FIRED!
Michael Strahan attends the “BS High” premiere in the course of the 2023 Tribeca Pageant at Village East Cinema on June 14, 2023. (Photograph Credit score: Cindy Ord/Getty Pictures for Tribeca Pageant)
Michael Strahan & Nationwide Anthem “Etiquette”
On Sunday, November 10, Fox Sports activities confirmed the NFL on Fox speaking heads at Naval Base San Diego.
The unholy union of sports activities and the US navy has an extended historical past – However, on this case, it was a particular Veterans Day broadcast and thus completely acceptable.
As a part of the tribute, The Star-Spangled Banner performed. That is the place Strahan bought into “trouble” with some viewers.
Throughout the Fox Sports activities phase, which appeared on Twitter and past, varied huge names current positioned a hand over their hearts whereas the Nationwide Anthem performed.
Michael Strahan stood silently and respectfully throughout The Star-Spangled Banner. Nevertheless, his fingers had been clasped in entrance of him, with zero fingers in entrance of his coronary heart.
And that was it – however clearly, that’s simply the place this story will get began.
A firestorm of backlash erupted because the video began to flow into, with many slamming Michael for not having his hand over his coronary heart – because the U.S. Code insists one ought to
We conclude our present on the Naval Base San Diego with the nationwide anthem ???????? pic.twitter.com/lDb2g6oF0f
— FOX Sports activities: NFL (@NFLonFOX) November 10, 2024
Weirdo trolls slammed Michael Strahan within the title of ‘patriotism’
In line with the flurry of livid social media commenters, Michael Strahan standing solemnly in the course of the Nationwide Anthem was “disrespectful.”
“Michael Strahan should not be on that stage,” declared one angered viewer. “He can’t even show the proper respect to our service men and women. Disgraceful!”
“Fire Strahan,” demanded one other tweet.
One other tweet screeched: “If you can’t respect our military, you need to be removed from the NFL ON FOX!! GOOD BYE STRAHAN!!”
Now, some may even see this as a vehement overreaction; we occur to agree. Whereas Part 301(b) of title 36 of the U.S. code says that when the nationwide anthem is performed, all “persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart,” not doing shouldn’t instantly villainize an individual.
Michael Strahan speaks onstage on the Fanatics Fest NYC 2024 at Jacob Javits Heart on August 16, 2024. (Photograph Credit score: Roy Rochlin/Getty Pictures for Fanatics)
In Michael’s Protection
And only for the document, Michael Strahan didn’t disrespect the US navy. He was, in reality, showing in a tribute to previous and current members of the US navy. Some would possibly name this “honoring” or, dare we are saying, “respecting” the troops.
He was even noticed, greater than another particular person on the panel, talking with the service members in attendance and providing his thanks.
It’s straightforward to leap to vitriol and hate throughout these divisive instances. It’s saddening to see so many do. Simply because it was unhappy to see so many spurn Colin Kaepernick for exercising his American proper to protest, which by the best way, nobody is saying Michael is doing.
As a result of right here’s the factor… whether or not or not he noticed himself getting slammed on a dying social media platform, Michael Strahan took to Instagram to share a extra private tribute.
As a result of the wants of vets is definitely an important concern for Michael.
Sure, he posted his personal Veteran’s Day tribute
Now may be a superb time to say that Michael Strahan’s personal human father, the late Main Gene W. Strahan, Sr., served 23 years within the military. He was “a proud member of the 82ns Airborne Division.”
Additionally, the GMA co-host grew up on an US Military base in Germany, the place his father was stationed. He additionally does loads of work in his free time, together with charity work through which he helps to attach retired navy veterans and retired athletes.
Even when some form of obeisance ritual had been a requirement to be a sports activities broadcaster — and it usually is just not — Michael Strahan is clearly a fan of veterans. There are folks on this world who’re merely, always, in search of somebody to hate for no conceivable cause. And so they’ll all the time discover their goal.