Packers vs. 49ers at Lambeau was more than just a game. It was the Packers’ Salute to Service game as they have been honoring the U.S. military throughout the month of November and so, the field had Salute to Service goal post wraps and pylon decals and players also used equipment that featured the NFL’s Salute to Service camo-ribbon decal. Further, the team paid special tribute to U.S. Army veteran David Zawicki as a part of ‘Operation Fan Mail.’

This operation gives recognition to veterans and their families at the Packers home game. So Zawicki’s efforts were celebrated this time. He joined the U.S. Army in 1980 and served in Germany during the Cold War and was also posted in the Middle East, but because of his injuries, his duty got limited. Nonetheless, Zawicki continued to serve the country as an Army Civilian for 30 years.

But talking about the game, the Packers won in a dominant manner 38-10 and they are now 8-3 so far. While the team was busy celebrating their victory along with the veterans, Erin Andrews, the accomplished sideline reporter for Fox Sports, also joined in on celebrating the country’s veterans. But in what manner?

Well, Andrews, who started her career way back in 2004 with ESPN, took to her Instagram account and wrote on the stories, “Thank you for your service,” while tagging the NFL and Packers. She was seen donning an all-black outfit with a fashionable winter coat, combining fur and leather in her stories. We are sure fans will appreciate her gesture. But there is something much larger that has been happening in the backdrop.

Andrews’ statement came in the wake of a solid controversy engulfing her colleague, Michael Strahan, who faced stark criticism during the pre-Veterans Day event, conducted at Naval Base San Diego earlier this month.

When the national anthem was playing, the FOX crew lined up with their hands over their hearts. However, people noticed Strahan with his hands in front of him in an interlocked position, and many people took offense to that. Though Strahan appeared only briefly as he stood next to Rob Gronkowski, that was enough for viewers to catch that quickly.

What did Michael Strahan say after the controversy?

Since the pre-Veterans Day event was designed to show respect to the armed forces, people were unhappy with Strahan’s gesture. Several others were confused, as Strahan has grown up in a military family. His father served 23 years and was also a part of the 82nd Airborn Division.

But, clarifying his stance, Strahan added, “Everyone thought, ‘He’s protesting. He’s making a statement,’ which is so far from the truth. I have nothing to protest. I have no statement to be made. The only statement that should be made that I want to make is I love the military, I’ve always loved the military and I will always love the military.”

“I do so many programs to help veterans and soldiers. I grew up on a military base with a father who was a major in the Army. My brother, my sister, my cousins, they all served in the military. I’m a military brat. And so the fact of somebody saying that, you know, I’m unpatriotic, couldn’t be any further from the truth.”

“The truth is that I was caught up in the moment,” said Strahan. “I’m looking at all these young sailors standing there at attention before the national anthem played and I’m thinking to myself, ‘How incredible. How incredible to be that young and to know that you want to do this. It’s such a commitment, but you’re willing to commit to something that you know gives us our freedoms.’ Plain and simple. …”

He further shared that by the time he realized the positioning of his hand, he panicked and was not sure if he should quickly place his hand over his heart or “do I just stand here with my hand in front of me respectfully?” He further apologized to anyone he may have offended. However, there was something else that took place, too.

Before Strahan’s statement, a Daily Mail reporter approached him outside his house and asked about the national anthem controversy. However, this angered Strahan, who yelled at the reporter and also allegedly threw the reporter’s phone in a bush. He stated that he wasn’t proud of how he handled the situation and apologized.