Michael Strahan is a former American pro-NFL defensive end athlete who played for the New York Giants from 1993 to 2007. Post-retirement, he reinvented his career by working as a football analyst for FOX network and became a syndicated daytime talk show host in 2012. In 2016, he started working full time for Good Morning America (GMA). He has a huge social media fan base with more than 1 million followers on Instagram and more than 1.5 million followers on Twitter.
Sun Sign
Scorpio
Residence
- Primarily lives in Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York City, United States
- Owns residential properties in Los Angles, California, New York City, New Jersey, and Texas, United States
Nationality
Education
He studied and graduated from Mannheim American High School and played linebacker for the Mannheim Bison / Redskins in 1985. Michael’s father later sent him to Houston, Texas to attend Westbury High School for his senior year where he played American Football for one season and returned to Germany to graduate from Trinity Christian High School in Mannheim, Germany that had only 2 students in his class including him.
His performance at Westbury bagged him a scholarship to Cisco College, a two-year school in Texas. However, his uncle Art got in touch with another college coach Walter Highsmith who recruited him for a scholarship to Texas Southern University from where he graduated in 1993.
Distinctive Features
- Prominent gap in front teeth that shows every time he smiles
- Tall and muscular physique
- Always maintains a close-cropped buzz cut hairstyle
- Clear and rich deep voice
Shoe Size
14 or 13 (UK) or 47 (EU)
Brand Endorsements
- He has appeared in print advertisements for Campbell’s Chunky Soups (2003–2004) and M&M candies from Mars Inc. (2009)
- His first TV commercial was for Pizza Hut Delivery (2006).
- In 2008, he filmed a series of webisodes in an elaborate campaign called VIP Like Me for Snickers candy bar.
- In February 2008, Strahan and teammate Justin Tuck collaborated with Nike to design their own exclusive pair of sneakers for ID studio in New York City although all proceeds from the sale of the sneakers were donated to Nike‘s “Let Me Play” global charitable campaign.
- He was also cast in the award-winning TV commercials for Vaseline Men (2009).
- Michael has also been a part of the TV commercials for Pepper Soda (2010), Subway (2012), Right Guard (2017), Metamucil (2014-2015), MetaBiotic probiotic supplement (2014-2015), and Meta Health Bars (2014).
- He has served as the celebrity spokesperson for CA Technologies application Total Defense R12.
- Michael collaborated with American Department store J. C. Penney to create an exclusive range of stylish but affordable men’s clothing and accessories called M by Michael Strahan. He was the only model of the brand launch commercials. In 2016, Michael became a full-time employee of Good Morning America that required him to drop his endorsement deals as the employees of programs under ABC News are forbidden from brand endorsements to prevent conflict of interest. Michael continues to promote his clothing line but he is no longer the face of his brand. In 2017, he additionally launched a luggage line with the same company.
Religion
Christianity
Best Known For
- Being a former National Football League (NFL) player as a part of the New York Giants for his entire athletic career of 15 years. In 2001, Michael set the record for most sacks in a season and in his final season helped his team win the Super Bowl XLII (2007) against the New England Patriots.
- Getting inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014
- His second career as a TV Presenter which was launched with the success of the day time show, Live! With Kelly and Michael (2012–2016)
- Appearing as a full-time anchor on Good Morning America (GMA)
First Film
He made his theatrical film debut as Augustus in Magic Mike XXL in 2015.
His first voice-over job was to narrate for the character of Teddy in Ice Age: Collision Course in 2016.
First TV Show
He made his first TV show appearance as ‘Himself’ on documentary series, CenterStage in 2002.
Personal Trainer
- In his early teens, Michael was an overweight kid. His siblings gave him the nickname Bob, which was short for booty on the back that often made him cry. He started exercising to ’s workout videos and improved enough to follow Herschel Walker’s workout book. His father saw his dedication and became his workout partner.
- Gene would wake up Michael at 5:00 am for 3-5 mile runs through Mannheim woods in Germany, and the father and son duo started visiting the local gym following workout programs published in Muscle & Fitness.
- During the height of Strahan’s NFL career, his brothers shared that though unsure of the outcome, Michael made a lot of sacrifices in his teens by investing all his free time at the gym even when he did not want to train while his siblings went out to enjoy with their friends.
- When Michael got into Texas Southern, he spent his holiday breaks biking uphill and running the stadium steps. His helped him sack the other team’s quarterback 19 times in his final college season that caught the eye of scouts for the New York Giants making him their 40th pick of the 1993 draft.
- At the peak of his career, Strahan’s performance numbers were as follows:
- 40 Yard Dash – 4.94 seconds
- Bench Press – 25 repetitions with 225 lbs
- 20 Yard Shuttle – 4.74 seconds
- Vertical Jump – 32.5 inches
- Broad Jump – 120 inches
- 20 Yard Dash – 2.83 seconds
- The athlete feels proud to share that throughout his 15 year NFL career, he had only 3 surgeries. In his late 40s, Michael showed no signs of slowing down. He aims to sleep by 8:30 or 9:00 pm and wakes up at 4:30 am to get the first of his 2 daily workouts. He has an apartment near the Good Morning America studio so he can walk to work every morning like most New Yorkers. His 2nd workout lasts for an hour before going to bed.
- Strahan trains under the supervision of celebrity trainer who lives in the same building. Although the TV presenter continues to maintain the same bodyweight he had during his NFL career, his proportions are more symmetrical now. He gave up heavy lifting for high-intensity , correctional exercises, and functional weight training. During his downtime, Strahan also enjoys playing Golf.
- His trainer prescribed him a high diet that minimizes the consumption of sugar, dairy, and pasta. Although Strahan indulges in desserts, his taste has become more refined. He dislikes the taste of processed sweet treats like Oreo cookies.
- Michael likes to workout at Equinox gym but has a fully equipped gym area at home as well in case he does not have time to spare. Sundays are absolute rest days.
- Michael likes to start his day with scrambled whites with spinach and chicken-apple sausage along with Ezekiel toast with and jam. He carries a protein shake to work and has eggs and for a pre-lunch snack. Lunch is his heaviest meal of the day that is usually a home-cooked meal that he brings to work. He consumes a healthy juice before heading home and prefers a light snack as a pre-workout meal as the last meal of his day on a typical working day.
Michael Strahan Favorite Things
- Morning Alarm Song – Lovely Day by Bill Withers
- Places For Brunch (NYC) – Bubby’s in Meatpacking District, Café Clover on Downing Street
- Cocktail – Paloma Frozen Margarita
- Restaurants (NYC) – Playa Betty’s, TESSA, Milos, Babbo
- Dream Vacation – Bora Bora
- Candy – Sour Patch Kids
- Alcohol – Tequila, White wine
- Tequila Brand – Don Julio 1942 (on the rocks with lime), Don Julio 70, Casamigos, Casa Dragones
- White Wine Brand – Riesling
- Music Genre – Hip-Hop
- Subject – History
- Holiday – Thanksgiving
- Board Game – Backgammon
- Romantic Movie – The Notebook (2004)
- Movie – Love Actually (2003)
- Song – The Secret Garden by
- Gym – Equinox
- Parks (In Houston) – Discovery Green, Hermann Park
- Home State Golf Club – Cypresswood Golf Club, Houston, Texas
- Restaurants (Houston) – The Breakfast Klub, Demeris Bar-B-Q, Hugo’s
- Earbuds Brand – Master & Dynamic ME05 Earphones, Palladium
- Product For Golf Training – DuoTrac Golf 2.0 Swing Trainers
- Lip Balm – Burt’s Bees, Facial fuel by Kiehl’s
- Athleisure Jacket – The Arrivals Niels Track Bomber Jacket
- Winter Essential – John Varvatos Silk Cashmere Henley Shirt
- Health Bar / Snack – Quest Nutrition Protein Bar, Cookies & Cream, Quest Protein Cookies
- Pillow Brand – Tomorrow Plush Pillow
- Skincare Brand – Jai of Beverly Hills Oxygen cream
- Exercise Equipment – Peloton Bike
- Jeans Brand – Rocker Jeans
Source – , GothamMag.com, , , , , ,
Michael Strahan Facts
- Though most people don’t believe him owing to his job as a TV presenter, the former footballer confessed he is very shy in real life.
- Sportswriter Jay Glazer is one of Strahan’s closest friends.
- From the age of 9 to 19, Michael was raised in Benjamin Franklin Village, Mannheim, West Germany along with the rest of his siblings because his father, then U.S Army major, was stationed there.
- Michael loves posting pictures of his miniature golden doodle named Enzo. He is the half-brother to Chef Mario Batali’s dog, Willie, so he often organizes playdates for the two of them.
- As a player of Texas Southern Tigers, Strahan was deemed as an All-American star defensive player by several American Football scouts and commentators. He was drafted by the New York Giants in 1993 but had his first breakout season in 1997.
- The TV Presenter is extremely fond of cars and owns more than 16 of them that include a Lamborghini truck and a Morgan 3-Wheeler. Since Michael does not drive within NYC, he owns a warehouse in Hackensack, New Jersey to park all his cars and store his memorabilia.
- He dislikes having memorabilia at his residence because it makes him feel like he is living in the past.
- Unlike many pro athletes, Strahan has no tattoos on his body.
- Michael has professional karaoke set up in his house on which he likes to sing ‘s Livin on a Prayer to entertain his guests.
- In June 2011, he participated in commercial supporting legalization of same-sex marriage in the state of New York.
- Strahan wrote a motivational book titled Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Transforming Your Life published in 2015.
- He likes collecting new and vintage watches as well as shopping for antiques.
- Once Michael made it big as an NFL player, he considered closing the gap between his teeth. He canceled his dentist’s appointment at the last minute because he realized his flaws along with the rest of his personality got him to the fortunate place he is now and he did not need to fix himself.
- In 2016, ABC network announced Michael to be the game show host of The $100, 000 Pyramid to be aired on Sunday nights. The Pyramid game show was aired on American TV since the 1970s and used to be one of Michael’s favorite TV shows while growing up.
- He volunteers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and was part of their holiday promotional commercials in December 2018.
- Visit his official website @ www.michaelstrahan.com.
- Follow his company’s page on and .
- Follow him on , , , and .
Featured Image by Michael Strahan / Instagram
Facts of Michael Anthony Strahan
- Gender Male
- full nameMichael Anthony Strahan
- middle nameAnthony
- nicknamesTray, Mike
- birthplaceHouston, Texas, United States
- Date of Birth November 21, 1971
- Age 52 years 10 months
- Horoscope Scorpio
- Lucky Number 5
- Lucky Stone Garnet
- Lucky Color Purple
- Best Match for Marriage Capricorn, Cancer, Pisces
- ethnicity / ethnic backgroundAfrican-American
- nationalityAmerican
- religionChristianity
- net worth$
- professionFormer American Football Player, TV Presenter, TV Journalist, Game Show Host, Actor, Football Analyst, Executive Producer, Entrepreneur (Co-founder of management-production company SMAC Entertainment with Constance Schwartz)
- weight112 kg or 247 lbs
- height6 ft 4.75 in or 195 cm
- hair colorBlack
- eye colorDark Brown
- body type / buildAthletic
- high schoolMannheim American High School
- collegeTexas Southern University
- motherLouise Traylor Strahan
- fatherGene Willie Strahan Sr.
- favorite moviesLove Actually (2003)
- favorite songsThe Secret Garden