One of the most feared defensive players in NFL history, Michael Strahan made a name for himself as a hard-hitting defensive end in the league. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Strahan spent most of his youth in Germany where his father was stationed with the U.S. Army, then later returned to Houston to attend Westbury High School. His one season with the Westbury Huskies was enough to earn him a scholarship to Texas Southern University. Strahan made the most of his time at TSU, becoming undoubtedly the best player to ever wear the Tiger uniform. Strahan was a two-time First Team All-SWAC selection, two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, and was named the Black College Defensive Player of the Year in 1992. He still holds the record at TSU for career sacks with 41.5. At the 1993 NFL Draft, Strahan was drafted in the second round to the New York Giants. During his breakout season in 1997, he recorded 14 sacks, was selected to the Pro Bowl, and was named a First-Team All-Pro. In 2001, he was unstoppable totaling 22.25 sacks, an NFL single-season record, which was more than enough to be NFL Defensive Player of the Year. For the next six seasons, Strahan recorded double-digit sack numbers. In 2006, he tied the franchise record for career sacks. He would go on to break the record the next season. In 2007, Strahan led the Giants to a Super Bowl XLII win upsetting the New England Patriots 17-14. Throughout his illustrious 15-year NFL career, Strahan was selected to a total of seven Pro Bowls, five All-Pros and is one of only four players to ever lead the NFL in sacks for two seasons. At the time of his retirement, Strahan ranked fifth all-time in career sacks with a total of 141.5 sacks and 854 tackles. Strahan is a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s, the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Today, Strahan is a co-anchor for ABC’s“Good Morning America”, a two-time Daytime Emmy award winner, “Fox NFL Sunday” sports analyst, and a best-selling author. He was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
