Michael Strahan was back on the nation’s screens on Tuesday morning for the first time since he caused outrage by failing to put his hand to his heart for the national anthem.
Strahan was part of FOX’s NFL Sunday coverage ahead of Veterans Day, but his decision not to join his fellow hosts in putting his hand to his chest left fans calling for him to be fired from his role.
He was absent from ABC’s Good Morning America show on Monday, with the hosts making no mention of the controversy, but returned on Tuesday morning, opening the show at 7am ET.
Despite returning, there was still no mention of his national anthem gaffe, and Strahan is yet to directly reference the awkward moment.
Around 15 minutes into Tuesday’s episode, the hosts turned their attention to the NFL, specifically referencing a moment during Monday Night Football in which a soldier was reunited with his family on Veterans Day.
Michael Strahan was back in front of the cameras on Tuesday after his national anthem gaffe
Strahan (left) opened the show but opted against referencing his weekend controversy
Despite the similarities to the subject Strahan courted controversy over, the host stayed silent and opted not to reference or apologize for Sunday’s gaffe.
On Monday, he had 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.’
Late on Monday, DailyMail.com revealed that Fox Sports will not punish or fine Strahan despite the public outrage.
Strahan (right) has been criticized for not placing his hand over his heart during the anthem
The NFL analyst shared a photo of his ex-military father and paid tribute to America’s veterans
Fox Sports faced a barrage of calls from viewers and fans to fire the former New York Giants defensive end and Super Bowl winner.
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.’
Social media was ablaze with comments about Strahan’s ‘disrespectful’ gesture on Sunday
Strahan has been a co-host of popular morning talk show Good Morning America since 2016. It is unclear whether his absence from Monday’s show was pre-planned or a late decision, but his appearance in San Diego on Sunday would hint that he was not due to be back in New York less than 24 hours later.
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.’
The ex-Giants star pictured with daughters Sophia (second from left) and Isabella (third from left) along with girlfriend Kayla Quick (right)
DailyMail.com understands Fox Sports will not impose any sanction on the analyst
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Michael Strahan's Fox Sports colleague unloads on national anthem controversy
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.