Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Michael Strahan

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Michael Strahan made an impact.

Michael Strahan is a retired American football defensive end and current television host. He played 15 seasons in the NFL, all with the New York Giants. Strahan holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single season and was a key player on the Giants team that won Super Bowl XLII. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Following his football career, Strahan transitioned to television, becoming a successful host on programs like Good Morning America.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1981: Taylor's Rookie Season

In 1981 Lawrence Taylor had his rookie season, the year before sacks became an official NFL statistic

1982: Official NFL statistic

In 1982 the stat for Sacks became an official NFL statistic.

1990: First Giants Championship

The 2007 season proved to be the Giants' first championship since 1990.

1991: Led SWAC with 14.5 quarterback sacks

In 1991, Michael Strahan led the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) with 14.5 quarterback sacks.

1993: Drafted by New York Giants

In 1993, Michael Strahan was selected in the second round of the NFL draft by the New York Giants. However, he played in only six games due to injuries.

1997: Start of Dominant Period

From 1997, Michael Strahan began a period of dominance in the NFL, lasting until 2005.

1997: Breakout season with 14 sacks

In 1997, Michael Strahan had a breakout season, recording 14 sacks, and was voted into his first Pro Bowl and named First-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

1998: Continued Success, 15 Sacks

In 1998, Michael Strahan continued his success, racking up 15 sacks and being voted into his second Pro-Bowl and All-Pro team.

1999: Game-Winning Interception

In Week 8 of the 1999 season, Michael Strahan returned an interception 44 yards for a game-winning overtime touchdown in a 23–17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

2000: Super Bowl XXXV Participation

In 2000, Michael Strahan and the Giants participated in Super Bowl XXXV, where they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens 34-7.

2001: NFL Defensive Player of the Year

In 2001, Michael Strahan was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and NFC Defensive Player of the Year.

2001: Set NFL Record for Sacks in a Single Season

In the 2001 season, Michael Strahan set the NFL record for sacks in a single season with 22.5.

January 6, 2002: Controversial Sack

On January 6, 2002, in the final game of the 2001 season, Michael Strahan recorded a controversial sack on Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, leading to accusations of Favre deliberately falling to ensure Strahan would get the record.

2003: NFC Defensive Player of the Year

In 2003, Michael Strahan was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year.

2005: Return to Pro Bowl

In 2005, Michael Strahan rebounded from injury, returning to the Pro Bowl, with Osi Umenyiora, as the two combined for 26 sacks.

October 23, 2006: Tied Giants Franchise Record for Career Sacks

On October 23, 2006, Michael Strahan tied Lawrence Taylor for the Giants franchise record for most career sacks with 132.5 in a Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.

2006: Possible Retirement

In 2006, Michael Strahan contemplated retirement and did not report to Giants training camp, but opted to return for one final year.

September 30, 2007: New Franchise Record for Career Sacks

On September 30, 2007, Michael Strahan sacked Donovan McNabb, setting a new Giants franchise record with 133.5 career sacks.

2007: Giants win Super Bowl XLII

In 2007, during his final season, Michael Strahan helped the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLII.

2007: Career Stats

Through the 2007 season, Michael Strahan retired with 141.5 career sacks (fifth all-time at the time of his retirement), 854 career tackles, four career interceptions, 24 forced fumbles, and three career touchdowns in 200 games over a 15-year career.

February 3, 2008: Super Bowl XLII Win

On February 3, 2008, Michael Strahan had two tackles and one sack in Super Bowl XLII, contributing to the Giants' 17–14 victory over the previously undefeated New England Patriots.

February 2008: Collaboration with Nike for Exclusive Sneakers

In February 2008, Michael Strahan and Giants teammate Justin Tuck partnered with Nike to design their own exclusive sneakers for ID studio in New York City, with all proceeds benefiting Nike's Let Me Play global campaign.

June 9, 2008: Retirement from the NFL

On June 9, 2008, Michael Strahan officially retired from the National Football League (NFL).

June 24, 2008: Joining Fox NFL Sunday

On June 24, 2008, Michael Strahan joined the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show as an analyst, alongside Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Jimmy Johnson.

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October 1, 2010: Guest Co-hosting Live! with Regis and Kelly

On October 1, 2010, Michael Strahan co-hosted Live! with Regis and Kelly as a guest host with Kelly Ripa for the first time.

June 2011: Filmed Commercial Supporting Same-Sex Marriage

In June 2011, Michael Strahan filmed a commercial supporting the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York.

November 2011: Philbin Left!

In November 2011, Regis Philbin left Live! with Regis and Kelly

September 4, 2012: Selected as Kelly Ripa's Co-host

On September 4, 2012, Michael Strahan was selected as Kelly Ripa's new co-host on the syndicated talk show, Live! with Kelly and Michael.

2012: Co-hosting Live! with Kelly and Michael

In 2012, Michael Strahan became a co-host of Live! with Kelly and Michael with Kelly Ripa, a role for which he won two Daytime Emmy Awards.

2014: Regular Contributor on Good Morning America

In 2014, Michael Strahan became a regular contributor on Good Morning America.

April 19, 2016: Leaving Live! with Kelly and Michael

On April 19, 2016, ABC announced that Michael Strahan would be leaving Live! with Kelly and Michael to begin working full-time on Good Morning America.

2016: Hosting The $100,000 Pyramid Revival

In 2016, ABC announced that Michael Strahan would be hosting a summer revival of The $100,000 Pyramid.

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2016: Joining Good Morning America Full-Time

In 2016, Michael Strahan left Live! to join Good Morning America (GMA) full-time.

December 2018: Volunteered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

In December 2018, Michael Strahan volunteered at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and was featured in a series of holiday promotions.

2018: Co-hosting GMA Day

In 2018, Michael Strahan began co-hosting a daytime talk show spin-off of Good Morning America, originally titled GMA Day, alongside Sara Haines.

2018: Hosting Fox NFL Thursday

In 2018, Michael Strahan began hosting the Fox NFL Thursday pregame show, alongside Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long.

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January 2019: Show Retitled Strahan and Sara

In January 2019, the program GMA Day was retitled Strahan and Sara.

August 2019: Show Retitled Strahan, Sara and Keke

In August 2019, the program was retitled Strahan, Sara and Keke to coincide with the addition of actress Keke Palmer.

March 2020: Show Put on Hiatus

In March 2020, the show Strahan, Sara and Keke was put on hiatus due to ABC News coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Pyramid Did Not Air

In 2020, Pyramid did not air during the summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2021: Watt tied Strahan's Single season sacks

In 2021, T. J. Watt tied Michael Strahan's record for the most NFL single season quarterback sacks.

2023: Gastineau confronts Favre

In 2023 Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre about the controversial sack, during the filming of an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the New York Sack Exchange, leading to a $25 million lawsuit by Gastineau.

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