Michael Strahan Retires

After 15 solid seasons with the New York Giants, star Defensive End Michael Strahan announced Monday that he was retiring. Strahan spent his entire NFL career with the New York Giants after they drafted him in the second round in 1993. While he spent all of last year's training camp contemplating retirement, he decided to return to play one final season. That decision paid off when the Giants capped off their magical season by beating the unbeaten New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Strahan has always been a defining force on the Giants defensive line and last year was no exception. Even though he had countless MVP awards and records, a Super Bowl ring was the final missing piece of the puzzle. The Giants' Super Bowl win allowed Strahan to finish his career on top and retire a champion.

Michael Strahan was born in Houston, Texas in 1971. He attended college at Texas Southern and his 41.5 career sacks are still a Texas Southern record. After New York drafted him in 1993, he immediately became the star defensive end they had hoped he would be. He holds the Giants franchise record for career regular season sacks (141.5) after passing up the revered Hall of Fame Linebacker, Lawrence Taylor. He also holds the NFL single season sack record of 22.5 sacks in 2001 and was voted to the Pro Bowl 7 times.

News of Michael Strahan's retirement was originally reported by Foxsports.com but was confirmed by the NFL Network and coach Tom Coughlin today. A news conference is scheduled for Tuesday morning at 11:30 am EDT.

Strahan's decision to retire will more than likely be capped off by an induction in to the NFL Hall of Fame in the upcoming years. When the New York Giants take the field this season, it will be without the familiar #92 dominating the defensive line. But I have a feeling we will not be seeing anyone in a #92 New York Giants jersey. He was one of the greatest defensive ends to play the game, and he will be missed...just not by opposing teams quarterbacks.