Fox Sports will not punish or fine Michael Strahan after the former NFL star came under fire for failing to put his hand over his heart during the national anthem.
On Sunday, Strahan was on the Fox Sports panel – alongside the likes of Terry Bradshaw and Rob Gronkowski – as they broadcast from the San Diego Naval Base ahead of Veterans Day.
When the national anthem was played, with a large number of military personnel standing around the crew, Strahan kept his hands in front of him – prompting outrage from many fans.
Fox Sports faced a barrage of calls from viewers and fans to fire the former New York Giants defensive end and Super Bowl winner.
However, DailyMail.com understands the network will not impose any sanction.
A source said: ‘His peers have his back and understand that he wasn’t making the moment about himself. There isn’t going to be any type of punishment or fine going Michael’s way.
‘He may address it, but he is weighing his options because he never thought this would have ever been a thing. He knows the man he is, and he almost doesn’t want to address the controversy to give it more life.
‘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.’
Strahan’s Fox colleague Jay Glazer jumped to his defense on Monday, insisting: ‘I don’t know if I have a friend who is more proud of his military roots than Michael.’
The source continued: ‘It was never addressed in the moment. All of this came later when the trolls got on it.
‘You have to think, imagine all the times you are at a game or an event that has the National Anthem and you are asked if you are able to rise, to do so.
‘Everyone in those stadiums or rooms are all people that don’t all have their hand over their heart, including yourself. It doesn’t mean that you are disrespecting anything, it is just what happens in the moment.
‘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.
‘Michael looks forward to be removed from this controversy as soon it has been created, he is going to live his life and worry about what he can control, that is all that he hope for.’
Earlier on Monday, Strahan spoke out amid the outrage over his controversial act.
He shared a photo of his father, Major Gene W. Strahan Sr, during his time in the military on Instagram while paying tribute to veterans across the US.
‘Thank you to all veterans and active service members who courageously risk their lives to protect us every day,’ he wrote on his story. ‘Your selfless service is beyond measure.
‘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. Thank You.’
Strahan has also been a co-host of popular morning talk show Good Morning America since 2016. However, he was absent from Monday’s program.
After he was seen not covering his heart during the Star Spangled Banner, the 52-year-old was branded ‘unpatriotic’ by furious Americans who took to social media to vent their frustrations.
Along with a photo of the moment, Newsmax host Todd Starnes first posted: ‘Michael Strahan disrespected the military during a Veterans Day pre-game show on @NFLonFOX.
‘The great irony is Strahan on a ship surrounded by men and women who would willingly sacrifice their lives to protect his freedom. So, his behavior is not just repugnant, it’s downright cowardly.’
Another fan commented: ‘What the hell is wrong with Michael Strahan!? On effing Veterans Day! Boo, @NFL. Boo, @NFLonFOX. Not cool.’
A third added: ‘Fire Michael Strahan! This is unacceptable!’
‘@NFLonFOX Michael Strahan, standing with US military honoring Veterans Day can’t show honor and respect during the National Anthem… Wow!’, wrote another.
Another said Strahan’s decision was ‘disrespectful to all Veterans and Americans’.
‘Why does Michael Strahan not put his hand over his heart during the playing of our National Anthem?’ one fan asked.
Strahan has also been accused of warped priorities after NFL fans dug up a previous interview he did with a child ‘drag queen’.
Aa clip resurfaced of his interview with ‘Desmond Is Amazing’ – one of the ‘youngest and first drag queen/kids’.
Now Desi Napoles, they began doing drag since the age of eight and they appeared on Good Morning America six years ago.
A one-minute clip re-appeared on social media, showing them dancing between the GMA crowd before joining the hosts for an interview.
‘Michael Strahan can’t respect his country/military men (and) 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,’ one fan wrote.
‘He has fallen so far. Sad,’ another wrote. ‘Total embarrassment, plain and simple,’ added a third.
