Strahan explains national anthem gaffe episode: ‘Not proud’

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Fox Sports analyst Michael Strahan spoke out after a national anthem faux pas led to a tense confrontation with a Daily Mail reporter.

Strahan has faced criticism for appearing to not put his hand over his heart for the American National Anthem during the live game at the San Diego Naval Base before Veterans Day. A reporter seeking a statement on the incident was received poorly by Strahan.

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(Video Credit: Daily Mail)

This moment did nothing to help his public image, prompting Strahan to take to Instagram on Tuesday and explain his side of the story.

“Everybody it’s Michael here, and I wanna address what happened this past weekend,” he opened up. “I feel like I need to address it because it’s spilled over to the point where I get out of my car today and I’m ambushed by a media outlet here at my house.”

“I’m not proud of the way I handled that whole situation, but I think anybody out there can understand the things you’re gonna do. You’re gonna protect your family and you’re gonna protect your home, which I felt like I needed to do in that moment,” Strahan added.

In addressing the national anthem gaffe that started this whole thing, the sports analyst admitted that he was admiring Navy personnel before he realized his mistake.

“If you want the truth, I’ll tell you the truth… it’s that I was caught up in the moment. I’m looking at all these young sailors standing there at attention before the national anthem played and I’m thinking to myself, ‘How incredible to be that young and to know that you wanna do this. It’s such a commitment but you’re willing to commit to something that gives us our freedoms,’ plain and simple,” he said.

“I’m just sitting there in amazement and I’m always amazed because I don’t take it for granted no matter where we go around the world from Afghanistan to all the military institutions here in this country,” Strahan added. “And by the time I looked up from that moment, all my five guys had their hands over their hearts, the national anthem’s playing… I somewhat panic and I’m like, ‘Do I be the fool that puts his hand over his heart after [the anthem starts]? Or do I just stand here with my hands in front of me respectfully?’ And that’s what I did. That’s what happened.”

“And if that offended any of our military and veterans, I apologize to you. Because that was never my intent. I’m a product of the military, a proud lover of the military, and a proud lover of who served before, now, and who will serve in the future.”