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Michael Strahan biography

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Michael Strahan is a former defensive end for the New York Giants, and co-host of the morning television program Live! With Kelly and Michael.

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Synopsis

Retired NFL defensive lineman Michael Anthony Strahan was born in Houston, Texas in 1961. After playing for Texas Southern University, Strahan was selected by the New York Giants in the 1993 NFL draft. Over the course of his long career, Strahan became one of the league's all-time QB sack leaders. Following his retirement in 2008, Strahan eased into a new career in television. In August 2012, Strahan became the new co-host of the morning television program Live! With Kelly and Michael.

Quotes

"We're sympathetic, but once you step on the field, football's football."
– Michael Strahan

Early Years

Michael Anthony Strahan was born on November 21, 1971 in Houston, Texas. The youngest of seven children, Strahan spent a good portion of his childhood in Mulheim, Germany, where his father, Gene, an Army major, settled the family when Strahan was 9 years old.

Strahan, a gifted athlete with a tall frame, returned to Texas for his senior year of high school, which allowed him to play football for the first time. Almost from the start, the powerful player proved to be a natural for the sport, and by the end of the season, he'd earned a scholarship to play football at Texas Southern University in Houston.

As a college player, Strahan continued to make incredible strides. He dominated the line of scrimmage, barreling through offensive lines and terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.

By his senior year, Strahan's play had caught the attention of NFL scouts. In the spring of 1993, the talented defensive player was selected 40th overall in the NFL draft, by the New York Giants.

Pro Career

As he had in high school and college, Strahan, who stands 6'5", was quick to adapt to the competition and his new football environment. During his second year in the league, he became a full-time starter for the Giants and registered his first double-digit quarterback sack season in 1997, with 14. That same year, he earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl.

Over the next decade, Strahan proved to be a dominating defensive force for the Giants. He turned in a 15-sack performance in 1998 and, in 2001, set an NFL season record with 22.5 sacks. Strahan, would close his career with 141.5 quarterback sacks, good for fifth all time.

Strahan's career closed on a high note. After mulling retirement, Strahan returned to the Giants for the 2007 season. That year, along with quarterback Eli Manning, Strahan led the club to its first Super Bowl victory in nearly two decades, with an upset win over Tom Brady and the undefeated New England Patriots in the championship game.

Soon after the big victory, Strahan announced his retirement from football. "I just hope people can say he was a great defensive end, he helped us win, he's a motivator, he's a team leader," Strahan told reporters. "And you're going to miss me when I leave."

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

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