Surprise! Strahan’s 92 to be retired
They got him good!
Michael Strahan’s former Giants teammates Eli Manning, Jessie Armstead and Justin Tuck surprised him Wednesday on the set of “Good Morning America” to reveal the team will retire Strahan’s No. 92 jersey during a ceremony Nov. 28 when the Eagles visit MetLife Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m., but the game theoretically could be flexed into prime time.
Manning, Armstead and Tuck wore Strahan jerseys to deliver the news, with the former quarterback jumping out of a massive box as falling red, white and blue confetti covered the stage.
Strahan, a full-time host on “GMA” since 2016, said he realized “what’s going on because they would never wear my jersey unless there was a reason, because they don’t love me that much.”
At first, though, Strahan, said he was confused when he was the only one out of his “GMA” co-hosts who didn’t have a note card or cue about the segment highlighting students returning to college. During the segment, a box rolled out of the corner, and Manning and his former teammates appeared.
Strahan, the Hall of Fame defensive end who played his entire 15-year career with the Giants and was the captain of the Super Bowl XLII championship team, will join Manning to become the 11th and 12th retired Giants jerseys. Manning’s No. 10 will be retired against the Falcons on Sept. 26.
“I’m still in shock. This is a moment I will always remember,” Strahan wrote in a tweet, thanking Manning, Armstead, Tuck and his “GMA” colleagues for “this amazing surprise.”
“To the @Giants organization and fans. Let’s get Metlife Stadium rocking on 11.28! See you there!!”
Strahan said he was “surprised” none of the former Giants leaked the surprise.
“I just saw Jessie at Jim Fassel’s golf tournament the other day… and you didn’t say a word,” Strahan said while the group shared a laugh.
“I just texted you this morning and got nothing,” Strahan said to Tuck.
It’s fitting that the Eagles will be on the other sideline when Strahan is honored. His biannual matchups with former Eagles left tackle Jon Runyan were a highlight of the rivalry and he had more career sacks against the Eagles (21.5 of 141.5) than any other opponent.
“Michael Strahan was one of the greatest players in franchise history. He deserves to have his number retired as other Giants immortals have, including Mel Hein, Frank Gifford and Lawrence Taylor,” Giants coowner John Mara said in a statement.
“Michael’s career was defined by his achievements, his consistency and his leadership. Very few defensive ends played the position as well as Michael. He was a tremendous run defender as well as a great pass rusher. And he realized a goal every player aspires to, but few achieve, winning a Super Bowl in his final game. We are grateful for all his contributions.”