Taking a page out of 2005 NFL hero former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis,
New York Giants “Sack Man” Michael Strahan apparently will be leaving the NFL with the exclamation point of “Stomping Out” the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Unlike last summer, Strahan really means his announced retirement this time and now he can take his 141.5 career sacks on to Canton, Ohio for his sure to be induction into Pro Football Hall of Fame in five years.
Jay Glazer at FOXSports.com was first to give the report that Strahan was walking away at age 36. Never one to miss a sound bite opportunity, Strahan told Glazer "It was important that my teammates knew which way I was going before they got on the field to start the work to defend our title . . . It's time. I'm done." The talkative veteran added, "It's a tough decision but I wanted to be fair to the Giants and fair to my teammates".
A lightning rod during his 15-year career for the G-Men, Strahan called out teammates like Tiki Barber and opponents like Jon Runyan, but never always played to the whistle on the field. His career carried him from tiny historically black university Texas Southern into the NFL as the 40th overall pick (2nd Rd) in 1993 to 7 Pro Bowls, 4 All-Pro selections, and the aforementioned Super Bowl championship. You cannot blame Strahan for letting Super Bowl XLII be his final statement as he gave everything to the game, playing through injuries to his shoulders and legs in the past couple of seasons. Strahan picked up a lot of his game and desire from his mentor in his rookie season (1993) from Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor. But he built his exemplary two-way defensive end career around uncanny strength and speed for a player that often game up fifty pounds to his opponents (6’5, 270).
Strahan leaves the NFL fifth on the all-time sack list behind Bruce Smith (200), Reggie White (198), Kevin Greene (160) and Chris Doleman (150). However the gap-toothed quarterback menace is number one for a single season with 22.5 sacks in 2001. Ironically, Strahan will be retiring in the same off-season as former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who alledgely laid on the ground letting the leader of Big Blue’s defense to break Mark Gastineau’s long standing record of 22 sacks from 1984.
I am sure like former teammate and sometimes sparring partner Tiki Barber that broadcasting is in the future of the loquacious Strahan. But we know whatever happens, he is going to keeping working as there is the little matter of his pending divorce settlement from 2007 that called for a payment of 15.3 Million to his ex-wife of six years.
Good Luck Strahan!!!
I know Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys fans are crying everywhere, not.
Lloyd Vance is a Sr. NFL Writer for Taking It to the House and an award winning member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)
