Michael Strahan’s always come across as someone very aware of how lucky he is to be where he stands. He has always respected Black trailblazers in sports, without whom he’d be nowhere. His own uncle, Art Strahan, counts among them, playing football in the 60s. Michael later found success with the Giants, becoming a hall of famer in 2014.

He also once visited his ancestral town of Shankleville, a “freedom colony,” where emancipated slaves settled. His own grandfather’s buried there, and discovering his grave was a humbling moment for him. He had mature, compassionate parents to raise him to be the man he is today. Successful, yet humble, ambitious, yet grounded.

Who is Michael Strahan’s dad?

Michael Strahan’s dad, Gene, was quite the fighter back in the day. Born in 1937, he enlisted in the army in 1955, at age 18. Early on in his military career, he had a chance of becoming a professional boxer, a light heavyweight. Gene Strahan famously took on heavyweight boxer Ken Norton (later world heavyweight champion, then marine) while at Fort Bragg, and held his own, 1-1.

But he eventually became a major and spent the latter half of his career stationed in Germany, and that’s where Michael, the youngest of 6 kids, really grew up, though he was born in Houston, Texas. Gene used to wake the youngest Strahan kid up every morning at 5 AM for 3-5 mile runs through the woods. He sensed the athletic potential in him, and when the time came, he shipped him off to live with his brother, Art Strahan, in Houston, where Michael played football at Westbury Highschool.

Gene Strahan was also a committed humanitarian, as was seen during the Yugoslav wars. In the 1990s, the whole family would bundle into a van and carry supplies from Germany to the former Yugoslavia. It was dangerous and difficult work, and racial bias was a constant worry. But he and his wife, Louise, made the trips with their eldest children anyways. One of Michael’s brothers, Chris Strahan, reminisces, “There are still areas where my family is remembered as the American black angels.”

Gene Strahan sadly passed away in September 2020 at the ripe old age of 83. It was a life well lived, and he left behind his adored wife of 63 years and his 6 kids.

Who is Strahan’s mom?

Louise Strahan, Michael’s mom, comes across as an absolutely delightful person when interviewed. But you can rest well assured she must be a formidable woman. She raised 6 kids in a military family and even the youngest turned out well adjusted! That kind of outcome needs a firm parenting hand, and she was always willing to discipline her boys when they went astray. She used to coach basketball too, so Michael’s athletic heritage comes from both parents.

These days, though, she’s a big old softie on camera. She makes occasional appearances on Good Morning America, the show her son hosts, and it’s always heartwarming. It’s clear Michael adores her too. She means a lot to him as his only surviving parent. When he unveiled his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last year, his mother was right there next to him, supporting him.

Every birthday for her sees him making the most heartfelt post possible, with pictures from way back when showing his love for his mother’s always been pure. She loves a bit of chocolate cake too, and Michael Strahan is not the kind of man who’d deprive his mother of that joy. There can be no greater joy as a parent than knowing you’ve given your kids everything they need to succeed. And Louise Strahan knows she and Gene have done nothing less.

Stories like that of Michael Strahan and his family can be inspiring and grow the NFL’s global appeal. If you would like to know more about the NFL’s global growth, be sure to check out our latest Think Tank Exclusive, featuring Erin and Emily Griffin.