I attempted to write this piece on Monday night but I couldn’t do it. I was still shocked and heart-broken that Michael Strahan had decided to call it quits after 15 Hall of Fame seasons in the NFL. I know most people have been saying for two days now that this didn’t surprise them and they were far from shocked when the announcement was made but I will be real with you, I couldn’t believe it. When my brother called to tell me the news late Monday morning all I could muster up to say was, “No freaking way”. I was shocked and to be honest, still am. I tried to convince myself all day that this was the Giants and Strahan’s way to get him out of training camp again this year and in late August he would announce he had the itch to play and would be returning for another season.
But on Tuesday morning Michael Strahan held a news conference and you could see it in his eyes, the man was done. He no longer wanted to put in the work it would take to stay on top of the game. He looked refreshed and I’m sure felt that way too. Michael Strahan is a champion and I believe leaving the game on top is what made this decision easier for him.
This man could still dominate in the NFL and that’s the reason I was so shocked. Last year, when he held out during training camp, coming off a couple injury prone and down seasons by Strahan standards, I figured he was done. I was attempting to come to terms with losing Tiki Barber and Michael Strahan, the cornerstones of the Giants organization, in the same off-season. I was trying to build up the rest of the team and talk myself into still believing the Giants could field a playoff team but things didn’t look good.
Then I went to Albany in mid-August to watch the Giants training camp for the day. My friend and I were hanging around after practice trying to catch some of the players getting into their cars. When Osi Umenyiora strolled out of the locker room with his knees wrapped in ice my throat dropped. Not only were we going to lose the two best players on the team but also now our best defender had his knees wrapped and were limping. I yelled to him to see how he was and he told me he felt fine. I decided I needed to take this opportunity to ask him about one of his friends, Michael Strahan. When I yelled, “Where’s Mike? Is he coming back?” Osi looked at me, laughed and told me, “Don’t worry about Mike, he’s on the beach right now but he’ll be back”. For the first time in awhile I felt good about my Giants. Of course, I had to call my family and friends right away and tell them, not only did I talk to Osi but also he told me that Strahan would be playing that season.
That’s why when I went to Giants.com in March or April at some point and read an article about the team going to some sort of Championship party, my mind was eased again. Many of the players told the reporters not to worry about Strahan because there was no way he was retiring. Antonio Pierce even said that he would become Mike’s agent and get him more money if that’s what it took. I thought Strahan would keep us all guessing until late August again this year but ultimately I figured he would return and dominate again.
After the news broke on Monday, I had to go and search every website I could think of for articles about Michael Strahan’s retirement. I wanted to know what the people with inside information had to say about the situation. It was this journey on the World Wide Web that allowed me to come to terms with the loss. Most people believe that yes, the loss will obviously hurt the New York Giants but it will not cripple them. They are so deep at defensive end that they can cope with this.
So finally, after two days of worrying about the New York Giants I have decided to move on. The Giants should be fine. They have a pro-bowl DE in Osi Umenyiora who they will team with the star of the Super Bowl, Justin Tuck. They recently signed Renaldo Wynn to be insurance incase Strahan did call it quits and they have Jay Alford, a rookie last season, as back up. Mathias Kiwanuka looms at line backer and could easily move back to DE if the Giants need him. Maybe I am being optimistic (which is not in my DNA) or maybe it’s the truth but I feel good about my Giants, even without Michael Strahan. And with that said, I can be happy for him.
Last year, when Tiki Barber retired, I wasn’t happy about it but I understood why he would do it. This time, with Strahan it’s no different. When you have accomplished all you can in the league, when you are one of the best to ever play your position and when you have just won a championship, it is your right to retire if you so wish.
Two days ago, when I first heard the news I was shocked and honestly, pissed off. Now, after thinking about it for a few days and watching Strahan at his news conference, it is time to get over it. This man has given me so many memories over the years; from breaking the single season sack record, two Super Bowl appearances to numerous hilarious interviews, it is time for me to let him go. As Michael Strahan moves into the next phase of his life, probably television, all I can do is wish him luck. And, of course, thank him for everything.
Keywords: Michael Strahan
