Former sportscaster turned political consultant Michele Tafoya is speaking out after the former Giants great caused controversy last weekend by not putting his hand on his chest during Fox's NFL pregame show. , I am taking Michael Strahan's words literally.
Strahan broke his silence on the national anthem controversy in a video posted to Instagram, explaining that he wasn't protesting anything and was just “caught up in the moment.”
Tafoya posted on social media On Wednesday morning, she said she found the explanation “honest and heartfelt.”
“We wondered what was in @michaelstrahan's heart and mind,” she wrote. “He told us this, and (in my estimation) he was an honest and kind-hearted person.”
Tafoya was a sideline reporter on Sunday Night Football from 2011 to 2022 before quitting sports broadcasting and turning his attention to politics.
The day after leaving sports media, she joined Republican Kendall Qualls' campaign for governor of Minnesota as co-chairman.
She continues to appear in the media and discuss politics and culture.
She also hosts her own podcast.
The Strahan controversy began Sunday during “Fox NFL Sunday” broadcast from the Naval Base in San Diego as part of the network's pregame show's annual Veterans Day celebration.
As the national anthem played, the camera panned to Fox's panel, all but Strahan holding their hands over their chests during the performance.
Despite Strahan's support for veterans and veterans' causes, as well as the support of his own father, Maj. Gene W. Strahan, Strahan's images caused an uproar online. Sr. served 23 years in the U.S. Army.
Strahan remained silent about the controversy until he released an Instagram video days after it all first started, hours after he confronted a Daily Mail reporter in front of his home on Tuesday.
“I have nothing to protest and no need to make a statement,” Strahan said on Instagram. The only statement I want to make is that I love the military, I always have loved the military, and I always will. I do a lot of programs to help veterans and soldiers. I grew up on a military base with a father who was an Army major. My brother, sister, cousins, they all served in the military. I'm a military kid.
“So the fact that someone says, 'I'm a non-citizen,' couldn't be further from the truth.”
