NFL on FOX analyst Michael Strahan’s journey in his post-football career has been one filled with opportunities in sports media and media in general. Strahan joined FOX Sports in 2008 and was instantly placed on the FOX NFL Sunday pre-game show alongside Curt Menefee, Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long, and Terry Bradshaw. Since his debut on FOX, Strahan has held positions with Live! With Kelly Ripa, Good Morning America, as well as a number of other media opportunities and commercials.
Recently, Strahan was a guest on 7pm in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, featuring the soon-to-be basketball Hall of Famer and co-host Monica McNutt from ESPN. During the appearance, he talked about his advice to younger athletes regarding chasing the post-football career too fast while still playing the game.
“I look at guys now and I think so many are so focused on the next chapter of life when they’re not getting the most out of this chapter,” said Strahan. “That’s what freaks me out. So when I played football, my teammates will tell you I was all in.”
A former New York Giants team captain, Strahan talked about how he always approached his job when playing in the NFL with the utmost effort because of his role as a team leader. Moreover, he noted that he found it vital to the success of his teammates that he sunk all his energy into playing the game instead of focusing on other things.
“I was 36-years-old when I retired, I didn’t take days off,” said Strahan. “If we’re going to win, I need to show them how we’re going to win. So, every day for me was important, but now that I don’t do that anymore now, I can transfer that energy over to what I’m doing now.”
The Pro Football Hall of Famer said that he has no issues with current athletes attempting to build their own brand while still playing in the league. However, he also believes there are consequences that come with it.
“If you are comfortable enough with doing it (podcasting), then you should do it,” Strahan noted. “The only problem is if something goes wrong, you’re not playing well and the team is losing, you still have to show up and do it. I guarantee you, they’re going to blame you and doing something like this away from football as your focus is not on the game. Personally for me, it wasn’t worth it.”
Strahan’s personal brand has exploded following his NFL career as a media personality, commercial pitchman, author, and through so many more opportunities. Nevertheless, he says that wasn’t at all his focus while playing in the NFL.
“I look at all these guys now, and respect to you it’s a different world, it’s a different game,” said Strahan. “If you can get a podcast in this new generation, do your thing. I don’t hate on any of them. But you better make sure you don’t mess up your primary worrying about something that’s your secondary. I see so many that are worrying about a secondary job and building a brand. I wasn’t worried about building a damn brand.”
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