and he went out a champion. :applause:
Here is what one of the posters over at BBGC had to say about him
June 9th 2008, just over four months after the second biggest upset in Super Bowl history, one of the greatest players the Giants, and the NFL, have ever known has decided to hang up his helmet for the last time. Michael Strahan’s career ends as a certain first ballot hall of famer, and a Super Bowl Champion. If only all athletes could be so lucky.
As a second round draft pick in 1992 (was it really that long ago?) much was expected of the young DE from Texas-Southern University. He had great size and speed and a pass rushing ability that could become great with proper development. Let’s just say he developed it alright. Strahan retires ranked 5th on the All-Time sacks list, and first on the Giants list which is far more impressive when you take a look at the guy ranked second: Lawrence Taylor. He also retires with the single season sack record, 22.5, which he accomplished during a remarkable season in 2001. What may not often be remembered, however, was that going into the third week of that historic season Strahan had a grand total of 0 sacks. That means that in the final 14 games of the season, Strahan managed to collect 22.5 sacks. That is a pace that will never, ever, be approached again.
When Strahan was at his best, there was no player in football who was better. There were players who excelled at playing the pass, others that excelled at playing the run, but with the possible exception of Marshall Faulk, no other player of this generation has played both as well as Strahan did. Not only did he break all those sack records, but running to his side of the field was futile. Even at the tender age of 36 he remained the best run stopping DE on the team, as well as one of the best in the league. He took great pride in the fact that when it came to his side of the field, he was the man in charge and nobody could do a thing about it.
Strahan contemplated his retirement at the beginning of last season, taking most of training camp to come to his decision. Ultimately, he decided he would give it one more shot to get that ever elusive Super Bowl Championship. For all his greatness, he had never won the Super Bowl, and that ate him up inside. The unquestioned leader of the team, he decided to come back for one more chance and it proved to be fruitful. Leading his team to one of the most impressive runs in the history of football, Strahan put the team on his back and carried them to a level they only dreamed they could reach.
When the Patriots marched into Arizona as a team undefeated and basically unchallenged, it was Strahan who held the Giants together. He never once doubted their abilities, he kept each and every member of that team focused on the task at hand, and perhaps most importantly he reminded them every minute of that game that they belonged on that field and that they could, and would, win this game. Even with the team down by four points with only 2:39 remaining on the clock and the most imposing football team ever assembled on the other sideline, Strahan was certain that victory was theirs and theirs alone. He walked to his offensive teammates and ordered the following statement in what might be remembered as his defining moment: "17-14 fellas. One touchdown and we are world champions. Believe it and it will happen! 17-14 is the final. Let's go!" Proving to be prophetic, that was indeed the final score.
The future is certainly plentiful for Strahan as he will be offered a television contract very soon and he will continue to bring that personality and comedic ability with him into the studio so the millions of fans around the league who don’t follow the Giants can come to know him as well. Unlike another recently retired Giant, Strahan will have nothing but praise for his former team and his former teammates. Every week on the air, Strahan will provide some insights to the game and some laughs for the fans. His career in broadcasting promises to be almost as great as his career in football was, where he goes out as one of the greatest defensive players of all time.
Giants fans across the country today will feel a sense of hurt as well as happiness. They will miss Strahan’s smile and his fun loving personality. They will miss his presence and ability on the field. They will miss seeing number 92 chasing after a fleeing QB, helpless to escape his grasp. On the other hand, no true Giants fan will think anything less of Strahan for deciding to end his career. He gave the Giants everything they could ever ask for and more from a second round draft pick. This team would not have won the Super Bowl without him, and perhaps no other player on the team was more vital towards achieving that goal than him. He was a true Giant in every sense of the word. This is a bittersweet day for Giants fans as a legend is gone, but he goes out on his own terms and as the Champion they all knew he was…with or without the ring to prove it.
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