Michael Strahan has spoken out as he appeared to lash out at a reporter after being questioned about his national anthem controversy.
On Sunday (November 10), the Fox network honored Veteran’s Day during its NFL Sunday Football broadcast.
During the segment, a marching band played the national anthem, 'Star-Spangled Banner,' as the network's commentators stood in a line and placed a hand over their hearts as a sign of respect.
Watch the moment below:As the camera panned, it landed on the Good Morning America anchor, who was seen with his arms folded across the lower half of his body.
Many people took to X (formerly Twitter) to slam Strahan for being “disrespectful” toward those who have served in the US military.
One user shared a video of the broadcast and penned in the caption: "What the hell is wrong with Michael Strahan!? On effing Veterans Day! Boo, @NFL. Boo, @NFLonFOX. Not cool."
"I’m sorry.. @michaelstrahan if you can’t be bothered to put your hand over your heart for the National Anthem WHILE WITH THE MILITARY. You don’t deserve to be on TV. Instead of being disrespectful, you could have waited off camera!" a second blasted.
A third commented: "What’s up with that! No hand on heart! You’ve got to be kidding! Do better @michaelstrahan!"
The TV host was questioned about the furor surrounding him not holding his hand over his heart by a journalist waiting outside of his New York City home on Tuesday (November 12).
In a video obtained by the Daily Mail, an outraged Strahan can be seen grabbing the reporter's phone and repeatedly saying: “Don’t come to my house,” before he allegedly tossed the device.
Watch the video below:At first, the 52-year-old did not address the controversy and instead chose to share a picture of his “hero” father, Major Gene W. Strahan Sr., who served in the army for 23 years, on his Instagram.
“Thank you to all veterans and active service members who courageously risk their lives to protect us every day. Your selfless service is beyond measure,” he captioned the pictures.
But last night, Strahan finally spoke up, expressing regret over his clash with the journalist, and explained why he didn't cover his heart.
"Everybody it's Michael here, and I wanna address what happened this past weekend,' he said in the video, adding that he's "not proud of the way" he handled that whole situation with the reporter.
He then went on to state what caused his viral moment, admitting he was too busy admiring the US Navy in attendance before realizing his mistake.
"I'll tell you the truth... it's that I was caught up in the moment," he explained. "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.'
"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," he added.
The anchor apologized for "offending any of our military and veterans" on Veterans Day because that was not his "intent", and emphasized that he was 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".
He concluded that the "only statement" that he wants to make is that he "loves the military".