NFL legend, “GMA” co-anchor, and Texas Southern University Alum Michael Strahan receives his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
On Monday, Michael Strahan made history as the first person to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the newly created Sports Entertainment category.
He was joined by his friends and family and was honored by Constance Scwartz-Morini, the co-founder of his talent management firm SMAC, as well as actor Terry Crews.
Crews spoke highly of his friend, saying “When you see that smile, it’s real, when he says hello to you, it’s real. Mike, no one deserves this more than you. Mike Strahan is the man!”
“We’re former athletes and you know, the thing is — I remember when you retired and we were sitting there talking about, ‘Should I try this Hollywood thing?'” Crews recalled. “When I see everything you’ve done since then, it’s so truly inspiring to me, to every person out there as a Black man, as an athlete, as every American should strive to be the kind of person you are. And the one word I have for Michael Strahan is ‘integrity.'”
Strahan took to the podium and thanked his friends and family who attended and joked that he was “less nervous going to space,” referencing his trip on the Blue Origin NS-19 sub-orbital spaceflight in December 2021.
He reflected on his journey and expressed his gratitude for the honor.
“You kind of wake up and you’re here. But I’m happy I’m here, because I never thought I’d make it here. I was just living, I was just enjoying life, I was just working. I was just trying to enjoy everything that came my way,” he said.
“…I found out my purpose is pretty much people. My purpose is pretty much to enjoy life and to spread joy and spread happiness and to enjoy everything that comes your way and to make sure everyone in your life feels important.”
– Micheal Strahan
Strahan’s star is well deserved as he has made a seamless transition from the field to the TV.
The Former New York Giants defensive end retired from a 15-year career in pro football in which he was named NFL’s 2001 Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated and the 2001 Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. He also set a single-season high record of 22.5 sacks in 2001, a record that still stands. Strahan’s NFL career resulted in him being named to the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, the sport’s highest honor.
He is now a two-time Emmy Award winner for his co-hosting on the talk show “LIVE with Kelly and Michael.” The new Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient was also nominated for a Sports Emmy Award in 2019 for “Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Analyst.”
He currently serves as a co-host on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and an analyst on the NFL pregame show, “FOX NFL SUNDAY.” Strahan also hosts the top-rated primetime game show favorite “$100,000 Pyramid.”
