A raging Michael Strahan lashed out at a DailyMail.com reporter on Tuesday and grabbed his cell phone when asked for a comment on the furor surrounding his national anthem faux-pas.
The 52-year-old Good Morning America star is yet to answer questions about the controversy that led to fans calling for him to be fired from Fox Sports for not holding his hand over his heart during the national anthem on Sunday.
Strahan stood with his hands folded in front of him next to his Fox Sports co-stars at Naval Base San Diego as the national anthem was played.
He was the only man in the line-up not to place his hand over his heart – and quickly drew criticism from viewers, some of whom called it ‘cowardly’ and ‘disrespectful’.
While Fox Sports is standing by him and others have leaped to his defense, Strahan is yet to address the controversy directly.
But when calmly asked for his comment on Tuesday after arriving home from co-hosting ABC’s Good Morning America, he immediately exploded.
‘Don’t come to my house, man!’ he yelled, grabbing the reporter’s phone.
He then tossed the phone into a nearby bush, before making his way into his $20million townhouse with his girlfriend Kayla Quick.
Michael Strahan flew into a frenzy and threw a DailyMail.com reporter’s phone into a bush after he was questioned why he refused to join in the national anthem
The TV legend appeared to be feeling the strain after being questioned over the controversy following his return to ABC’s Good Morning America
Strahan, who grew up on an army base and whose father is a retired Army Major, was absent from ABC’s Good Morning America show on Monday after the anthem controversy.
But as fan outrage grew on social media, he posted a tribute to his father and to all Veterans.
He returned to ABC’s Manhattan studios on Tuesday morning, but again made no mention of the controversy in any segment of the two-hour-long show.
He then tossed it into a nearby bush, and made his way into his $20million townhouse, with his girlfriend Kayla Quick trailing behind him
Strahan’s longtime girlfriend Kayla Quick followed him inside
He briefly introduced a story about a soldier being reunited with his family on Veteran’s Day, but didn’t comment on the anthem incident.
Fox Sports have brushed off calls for Strahan to be punished or step down after the incident.
A source told DailyMail.com that 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,’ the insider said.
‘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 (right) has been criticized for not placing his hand over his heart during the anthem on Sunday, the day before Veterans Day
Fans were quick to call Strahan out for now placing his hand over his heart at the naval base
The NFL analyst shared a pH๏τo of his ex-military father and paid tribute to America’s veterans but is yet to directly comment on the furor
There has been no word from ABC representatives about his behavior at the event on Sunday.
Strahan is one of the network’s highest paid hosts, earning a reported $20million a year and being tasked with high profile interviews.
Prior to his television career, he was a Super Bowl-winning NFL player with the New York Giants.
Recently honored as one of the team’s most celebrated players of all-time, he was drafted in 1993 and played in the league for 14 seasons.
After hanging up his cleats in 2007, he joined GMA in 2012 and became a full-time host four years later in 2016.
In 2014, he was also inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for a very small minority of former football stars.
Many critics now say he doesn’t deserve the honors that have been bestowed upon him in the wake of his national anthem controversy.
Newsmax host Todd Starnes was among those who blasted Strahan.
The sports legend was back in front of the cameras on Tuesday after his national anthem gaffe, but took Monday’s show off
The ex-Giants star pictured with daughters Sophia (second from left) and Isabella (third from left) along with girlfriend Kayla Quick (right)
‘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,’ he said.
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!’
Representatives for Strahan did not immediately respond to inquiries.