Former New York Giants star Michael Strahan is preparing to sit down with Bill Belichick for an ABC special—an assignment that demands more than friendly banter.
Belichick, a key figure in Giants lore who helped forge Lawrence Taylor into a Hall of Famer before going on to win six Super Bowls with New England, is now embarking on a solo media tour to promote his new book. His recent CBS appearance, in which he and longtime partner Jordon Hudson shut down questions about their 48-year age difference, underscored how tightly Belichick controls his public image.
Now Strahan has been tapped for Belichick’s next televised sit-down. NBC’s Mike Florio warns that Strahan—better known for morning-show banter than investigative reporting—will need to challenge Belichick at least once to avoid a “dive” interview. “He must ask something that makes Bill pause, sigh or even roll his eyes,” Florio writes, “or else Strahan risks being seen as a soft touch, like Brett Favre’s old teammates warning him not to question Favre’s passing record chase.”
Recent reporting by ESPN’s Pablo Torre hints at deeper questions surrounding Belichick and Hudson’s partnership. If Strahan can press into those topics, he’ll not only deliver compelling TV but also prove he’s more than a former pass-rusher turned morning-show host.
— Anthony Licciardi, Athlon Sports
Strahan Set to Interview Belichick Amid Controversy, Faces Test of Integrity
