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 professional football player and current television personality. He spent his entire 15-year NFL career as a defensive end for the New York Giants, where he established himself as a premier pass rusher. Strahan holds the NFL record for most sacks in a single season. He capped off his career with a Super Bowl XLII victory over the New England Patriots in 2007 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Following his football career, he transitioned to television, becoming a prominent host and journalist.

Sections (4)

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

1991: Leads SWAC in Sacks

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

1992: All-SWAC and Player of the Year

In 1992, Michael Strahan was named First-team All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the SWAC's Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

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.

1997: Dominance in the NFL

From 1997 to 2005, Michael Strahan established himself as one of the most dominant defensive ends in the NFL, becoming the standard and best at his position.

1997: Breakout Season with Giants

In 1997, Michael Strahan had a breakout season with the New York Giants, recording 14 sacks and earning his first Pro Bowl selection and First-team All-Pro honors.

1998: Continued Success with Giants

In 1998, Michael Strahan continued his success with 15 sacks and was selected for 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

In 2000, Michael Strahan was a member of the New York Giants, who made it to 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: Sets NFL Sack Record

In the 2001 NFL 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 against Brett Favre, which secured the NFL single-season sack record.

2003: NFC Defensive Player of the Year

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

2005: Pro Bowl Return

In 2005, Michael Strahan rebounded from injury and returned to the Pro Bowl, combining with Osi Umenyiora for 26 sacks.

October 23, 2006: Ties Giants Career Sack Record

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

September 30, 2007: Breaks Giants Sack Record

On September 30, 2007, Michael Strahan sacked Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles, increasing his career total to 133.5, setting a new franchise record.

2007: Career Stats at Retirement

By the end of the 2007 season, Michael Strahan retired with 141.5 career sacks, 854 career tackles, four career interceptions, 24 forced fumbles, and three career touchdowns.

2007: Giants Win Super Bowl XLII

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

February 3, 2008: Super Bowl XLII Victory

On February 3, 2008, Michael Strahan won Super Bowl XLII with the New York Giants, defeating the New England Patriots 17-14.

February 2008: Sneaker Design Collaboration with Nike

In February 2008, Michael Strahan and Giants teammate Justin Tuck teamed up with Nike to design their own exclusive sneakers for ID studio in New York City. All proceeds from the sneakers were donated to Nike's Let Me Play global campaign.

June 9, 2008: Retirement from NFL

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

June 24, 2008: Joins Fox NFL Sunday

On June 24, 2008, Michael Strahan joined the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show as an analyst.

October 1, 2010: Guest Host on Live! with Regis and Kelly

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

June 2011: Commercial Supporting Same-Sex Marriage

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

September 4, 2012: Official Co-Host of Live! with Kelly and Michael

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

2012: Co-hosting Live! with Kelly and Michael

In 2012, Michael Strahan began co-hosting "Live! with Kelly and Michael" with Kelly Ripa.

February 2, 2013: Hall of Fame Eligibility

On February 2, 2013, Michael Strahan was eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame but was not voted in during his first year of eligibility.

2014: Regular Contributor on Good Morning America

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

April 19, 2016: Leaves Live! for Good Morning America

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

2016: Hosts The $100,000 Pyramid Revival

In 2016, Michael Strahan began hosting a summer revival of The $100,000 Pyramid on ABC.

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2016: Joins Good Morning America Full-Time

In 2016, Michael Strahan left "Live! with Kelly and Michael" to join "Good Morning America" full-time.

December 2018: Volunteering 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: Hosts Fox NFL Thursday

In 2018, Michael Strahan began hosting the Fox NFL Thursday pregame show.

January 2019: Show Retitled Strahan and Sara

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

August 2019: Show Retitled Strahan, Sara and Keke

In August 2019, the daytime talk show was retitled "Strahan, Sara and Keke" with the addition of Keke Palmer.

2021: T.J. Watt Matches Sack Record

In 2021, T. J. Watt matched Michael Strahan's record for most NFL single-season quarterback sacks at 22.5.

February 19, 2025: Leaving Good Morning America

On February 19, 2025, it was announced that Michael Strahan would leave "Good Morning America" at the end of his contract, which expires in the summer of 2025.