Strahan Staying Retired

Jay Glazer of FOXSports.com reported Tuesday that defensive end Michael Strahan will not be re-joining the New York Giants, but will instead remain retired from football and begin his broadcasting career with FOX.

“This has been one of the toughest nights of my life,” Strahan told Glazer. “But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it’s just best if I stay retired.

“I have gone back and forth on this because as a player you’ll always want to play, you’ll never lose that urge to be out there. But I could only do this if I could commit 100 percent, physically, mentally, emotionally and I can’t do that. I’ve tried to convince myself and my body to give it one more year, but in the end I just don’t think I could turn it on like I need to again.

“I really love my life now. It’s great having nobody put a finger on me. You really put yourself through an awful lot in this league, more than people realize.

“I’ve got a great home at FOX now and I think it’s where I belong. I wish I could’ve had different news for Giants fans but I’ve known for a while I’m done.”

We'll probably never know, but we have to wonder how much Tuesday's ruling by a New Jersey appeals court saying he doesn’t owe his ex-wife $18,000 a month in child support has to do with Strahan's decision.

Photo: Andy Marlin / Getty Images