Michael Strahan says he was not protesting when he didn't put hand on heart during national anthem

Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan on Tuesday night clarified that his failure to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem over the weekend was not out of protest but because he got "caught up in the moment."

Strahan came under fire this week after a video of his appearance at a naval base in San Diego on Sunday went viral because of the way he stood during the Star Spangled Banner. The former Giants star stood with his hands interlocked at his waist, while the rest of his teammates had their hands on their hearts.

The former NFL player defended himself from allegations that he was unpatriotic, adding that he was a military brat who did many programs for veterans.

“I have nothing to protest, I have no statement to be made,” Strahan said on Instagram. "The only statement that should be made that I want to make is I love the military, I’ve always loved the military and I will always love the military. I do so many programs to help veterans and soldiers. I grew up on a military base with a father who was a major in the army. My brother, my sister, my cousins, they all served in the military — I’m a military brat."

Strahan clarified that he was "caught up in the moment" of looking at all the Navy sailors and SEALS in attendance.

“I somewhat panicked and I’m like, ‘Do I be the fool that puts his hand over his heart after or do I just stand here with my hand in front of me respectfully?’ Which, that’s what I did, that’s what happened,” he added.

The former Giant also admitted that he was not proud of how he handled a scuffle with a reporter who questioned him outside of his house over his stance during Fox's Sunday broadcast, but felt he had to protect his family and home. Strahan had grabbed the reporter's phone and thrown it away, according to the New York Post.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.