Michael Anthony Strahan: Football Player, Philanthropist, and Leader
SSG Cater, Matthew D.
Small Group Leader: SSG Broughan, Keith R.
24 January 2015
Abstract
Michael Anthony Strahan is the embodiment of a leader. Throughout his life, he has carried himself in a manner to which other men should strive. Early in life, Michael Strahan projected a natural ability to lead and succeed. He did not begin to play football until his senior year in high school, but that one year was enough for him to secure a scholarship to attend Texas Southern University. Dedication and a passion for the game inspired his teammates to better themselves on and off the field, while earning him several prestigious honors. Those honors included being named …show more content…
His father, Gene Willie Strahan, was a major in the United States Army. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Germany, until his parents sent him back to Texas to live with his uncle so that he could go to Westbury High School. While at Westbury, Michael joined the football team, and played well enough to secure himself a scholarship to Texas Southern University (TSU). From 1989 to 1992, Michael Strahan set numerous records as the defensive end for TSU. He was constantly drawing double-team coverage from opposing teams, and was a consistent threat to the quarterback. Every day was viewed as a chance to improve and better himself on and off the field. “He recorded 62 tackles with a school-record 19 quarterback sacks and 32 tackles totaling 142 yards in losses” (Michael, 2015). He earned high honors by being named the SWAC’s player of the year in 1991 and 1992, along with earning the Edd Hayes’ Black College Sports All-American in 1992. Strahan was looked up to by every member of the …show more content…
Constantly under the scrutiny of the media, bombarded for your personal life, and made a martyr for every imperfection you posses. Michael was able to take that spotlight and lead his team on the gridiron for 15 seasons, culminating with a Super Bowl victory in 2008, which proved to be his last game (France, 2014). Michael Strahan is the embodiment of the Warrior Ethos. “The military ethos Gene had drilled into his son, said Art Strahan, “was 100 percent of Michael’s success. With he and his dad, when you see one you see the other. Michael never wanted to displease his father” (O’Connor, 2014). Out of all professional defensive ends in the NFL, few compared to the likes of Strahan. He suffered multiple injuries during his career. A torn pectoral muscle in 2004, which severely hampered his stats, and a Lisfranc fracture in 2006 which sidelined him for most of the season, . Even with devastating setbacks like these, he proved to be resilient, never giving up on himself or blaming others around him. Despite adversity, Strahan pushed himself and those around him to keep moving forward. His dedication to himself, his team, and those who looked upon him for leadership and guidance paid dividends with the culmination of the 2008 season when the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl. These attributes of such an enormous football
SSG Cater, Matthew D.
Small Group Leader: SSG Broughan, Keith R.
24 January 2015
Abstract
Michael Anthony Strahan is the embodiment of a leader. Throughout his life, he has carried himself in a manner to which other men should strive. Early in life, Michael Strahan projected a natural ability to lead and succeed. He did not begin to play football until his senior year in high school, but that one year was enough for him to secure a scholarship to attend Texas Southern University. Dedication and a passion for the game inspired his teammates to better themselves on and off the field, while earning him several prestigious honors. Those honors included being named …show more content…
His father, Gene Willie Strahan, was a major in the United States Army. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Germany, until his parents sent him back to Texas to live with his uncle so that he could go to Westbury High School. While at Westbury, Michael joined the football team, and played well enough to secure himself a scholarship to Texas Southern University (TSU). From 1989 to 1992, Michael Strahan set numerous records as the defensive end for TSU. He was constantly drawing double-team coverage from opposing teams, and was a consistent threat to the quarterback. Every day was viewed as a chance to improve and better himself on and off the field. “He recorded 62 tackles with a school-record 19 quarterback sacks and 32 tackles totaling 142 yards in losses” (Michael, 2015). He earned high honors by being named the SWAC’s player of the year in 1991 and 1992, along with earning the Edd Hayes’ Black College Sports All-American in 1992. Strahan was looked up to by every member of the …show more content…
Constantly under the scrutiny of the media, bombarded for your personal life, and made a martyr for every imperfection you posses. Michael was able to take that spotlight and lead his team on the gridiron for 15 seasons, culminating with a Super Bowl victory in 2008, which proved to be his last game (France, 2014). Michael Strahan is the embodiment of the Warrior Ethos. “The military ethos Gene had drilled into his son, said Art Strahan, “was 100 percent of Michael’s success. With he and his dad, when you see one you see the other. Michael never wanted to displease his father” (O’Connor, 2014). Out of all professional defensive ends in the NFL, few compared to the likes of Strahan. He suffered multiple injuries during his career. A torn pectoral muscle in 2004, which severely hampered his stats, and a Lisfranc fracture in 2006 which sidelined him for most of the season, . Even with devastating setbacks like these, he proved to be resilient, never giving up on himself or blaming others around him. Despite adversity, Strahan pushed himself and those around him to keep moving forward. His dedication to himself, his team, and those who looked upon him for leadership and guidance paid dividends with the culmination of the 2008 season when the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl. These attributes of such an enormous football