Michael Strahan leaves fans fuming with response to Rob Gronkowski ranting about New England Patriots
Michael Strahan outraged fans when he awkwardly cut off Fox Sports colleague Rob Gronkowski while the New England Patriots legend was in full swing about his former team.
The legendary NFL tight end responded to the news that the Patriots had fired head coach Jerod Mayo in the wake of the team’s victory over the Buffalo Bills on the final day of the regular season.
“I was shocked by that,” Gronkowski said to begin his rant. ‘The fact that it happened so quickly was a shock to many people, especially here at the counter, we were all surprised. I think it was unfair to coach Jerod Mayo.
“I mean, he never had a chance to develop as a head coach. He himself was just a rookie in that field. Judging a coach on his first year is really not appropriate.
“I mean, Jimmy Johnson, you went 1-15 in your first one and then you won a couple of Super Bowls. I mean, he’s really…’
At that point, just over 30 seconds after being asked for his opinion, Strahan interrupted Gronkowski and told his broadcast colleague that they needed to pause.
Michael Strahan awkwardly interrupted his Fox Sports colleague Rob Gronkowski during his tirade
Fans called out Strahan on social media and were angry that Gronkowski was not allowed to continue.
One posted: “Strahan is a puppet.”
Another added: “Strahan, the man from the company. Keep cashing them checks.”
A third wrote: “Gronk was about to go into the Krafts before Fox pulled and broke.”
“Gronk goes off script to tell how he really feels, and the channel definitely didn’t want that.”
This isn’t the first time Strahan has courted controversy this season while covering the NFL for Fox.
In November, he was sharply criticized after failing to place his hand over his heart during the national anthem during a live show from the San Diego Naval Base before Veterans Day.
The former New York Giants star even lashed out when DailyMail.com asked him to comment on the situation in the aftermath, taking our reporter’s phone and throwing it away.
The Patriots fired head coach Jerod Mayo following the team’s win over the Buffalo Bills
When Strahan finally spoke out, he expressed regret over his clash with the reporter outside his home, highlighting his family ties to the military and explaining why he did not cover his heart when the Star Spangled Banner was played.
“Everyone, it’s Michael here, and I want to address what happened last weekend,” he said in a video message on Instagram.
“I feel like I have to do something about it because it’s gotten to the point where today I get out of my car and I’m ambushed here at my home by a media outlet.
“I’m not proud of the way I handled that whole situation, but I think everyone out there can understand what you’re going to do. You’re going to protect your family and your home, which I felt was necessary at that moment.”
Gronkowski played nine seasons for the Patriots and won three Super Bowl titles along with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft blamed himself Monday for having to fire Mayo for putting the first-year head coach in an “untenable” situation.
Kraft met with the media a day after firing Mayo following a 4-13 season and said Mayo wasn’t ready for the job.
“This whole situation is my fault,” Kraft said. ‘I feel terrible for Jerod because I put him in an untenable situation. I know that as a head coach he has all the tools to be successful in this league. He just needed more time before he took the job.”
Kraft said the front office will remain and the coaching search will be led by Eliot Wolf and Alonzo Highsmith. Kraft said he and his son Jonathan will select the next head coach.
The 38-year-old Mayo was in his first season after replacing the legendary Bill Belichick after last season.