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 former American professional football player and current television host and journalist. He spent his entire 15-year NFL career as a defensive end for the New York Giants. Strahan is known for his exceptional pass-rushing abilities, setting the NFL single-season sack record. A highlight of his career includes winning Super Bowl XLII with the Giants in 2007. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's greats. Post-football, he transitioned to a successful media career.
1981: Before Sacks Became Official
In 1981, Lawrence Taylor accrued 9.5 sacks, the year before sacks became an official NFL statistic, which were not included in the record tied by Michael Strahan in 2006.
1982: Official Statistic
In 1982, sacks were made an official statistic, and Michael Strahan would go on to break the record for sacks in a single season.
1990: Giants First Championship Since 1990
In 2007, the Giants won their first championship since 1990, the 15th and final season for Michael Strahan.
1991: Leads SWAC in 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 by the New York Giants, but he played in only six games due to injuries.
1997: Dominance in the NFL Begins
From 1997, Michael Strahan established himself as one of the most dominant defensive ends in the NFL.
1997: Breakout Season
In 1997, Michael Strahan had a breakout season, recording 14 sacks, earning his first Pro Bowl selection, and being named First-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.
1998: Continued Success
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: Participated in Super Bowl XXXV
In 2000, Michael Strahan was a member of the New York Giants team that participated in Super Bowl XXXV, where they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens.
2001: Sets NFL Sack Record
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 season, Michael Strahan recorded a controversial sack on Brett Favre, which helped him set the NFL single-season sack record.
2005: Returns to Pro Bowl
In 2005, Michael Strahan rebounded from an injury-plagued season to return to the Pro Bowl, with his protégé, Osi Umenyiora.
October 23, 2006: Ties Giants Franchise Record
On October 23, 2006, Michael Strahan tied Lawrence Taylor for the Giants franchise record for most career sacks with 132.5 during a Monday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.
2006: Possible Retirement
In 2006, it seemed Michael Strahan would retire as he did not report to Giants training camp and missed the entire preseason, but he returned for one final year.
September 30, 2007: Sets New Franchise Record
On September 30, 2007, Michael Strahan sacked Donovan McNabb, setting a new franchise record with 133.5 career sacks.
2007: Retirement Stats
By the end of the 2007 season, Michael Strahan retired with 141.5 career sacks (fifth all-time when he retired), 854 career tackles, four career interceptions, 24 forced fumbles, and three career touchdowns.
2007: Giants Win Super Bowl XLII
In 2007, Michael Strahan helped the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots in his final season.
February 3, 2008: Super Bowl XLII Victory
On February 3, 2008, Michael Strahan had two tackles and one sack in Super Bowl XLII, helping the Giants defeat the previously undefeated New England Patriots.
February 2008: Sneaker Design Collaboration with Nike
In February 2008, Michael Strahan and Giants teammate Justin Tuck partnered with Nike to design their own exclusive sneakers at the 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 the NFL
On June 9, 2008, Michael Strahan officially retired from the NFL.
June 24, 2008: Joins Fox NFL Sunday
On June 24, 2008, Michael Strahan joined the Fox NFL Sunday pregame show as a football analyst.
October 1, 2010: Guest Co-host on 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: 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: Regis Philbin Leaves Live!
In November 2011, Regis Philbin left Live!, leading to Michael Strahan becoming a potential co-host.
September 4, 2012: Joins Live! with Kelly and Michael as Co-Host
On September 4, 2012, Michael Strahan officially joined Live! with Kelly and Michael as Kelly Ripa's new co-host.
2012: Co-hosting Live! with Kelly and Michael
In 2012, Michael Strahan became the co-host of Live! with Kelly and Michael with Kelly Ripa.
2014: Regular Contributor on Good Morning America
In 2014, Michael Strahan became a regular contributor on Good Morning America.
April 19, 2016: Departure from Live! to Join 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: Hosting The $100,000 Pyramid Revival
In 2016, Michael Strahan began hosting a summer revival of The $100,000 Pyramid.
2016: Joining Good Morning America Full-Time
In 2016, Michael Strahan left Live! to join Good Morning America (GMA) full-time.
December 2018: Volunteer Work 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. His volunteer work contributed to the hospital's fundraising efforts.
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: Host of Fox NFL Thursday
In 2018, Michael Strahan began hosting the Fox NFL Thursday pregame show.
January 2019: Program Retitled Strahan and Sara
In January 2019, the daytime talk show spin-off of Good Morning America was retitled Strahan and Sara.
August 2019: Program Retitled Strahan, Sara and Keke
In August 2019, the daytime talk show spin-off of Good Morning America was retitled Strahan, Sara and Keke with the addition of Keke Palmer.
March 2020: Show Put on Hiatus
In March 2020, 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 in the summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021: T.J. Watt Matches Sack Record
In 2021, T. J. Watt matched Michael Strahan's record for the most NFL single season quarterback sacks at 22.5.
February 19, 2025: Leaving Good Morning America
On February 19, 2025, NewsNation announced that Michael Strahan would leave Good Morning America at the end of his contract.
May 6, 2025: Pursuing Giants Shareholder Role
On May 6, 2025, Michael Strahan announced his interest in becoming a minority shareholder of his former team, the New York Giants.
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