If Super Bowl Sunday and its aftermath weren’t already a blow for New York Giants fans, they sure are feeling it now. While Fox’s broadcast steered clear of criticizing the Giants for letting Saquon Barkley join the Philadelphia Eagles, some images may linger for years: Barkley with the Lombardi Trophy and Michael Strahan proudly waving an Eagles flag.
In a prerecorded chat with the Eagles’ All-Pro running back, who rushed for 57 yards on 25 carries in their 40-22 Super Bowl LIX victory, Strahan unsettled the Giants’ fanbase. He stated, “For all you Giants fans out there, I’ve been around a lot of guys who have left the Giants for other teams I did not like — and I never liked them. But, he is such a special man. Come on, we’re going to ‘Fly Eagles Fly’ for Saquon Barkley because I respect and love this man so much… See, we don’t have a flag in New York.”
Oh boy pic.twitter.com/Pj7tFDGx5b
— Evan Roberts (@EvanRobertsWFAN) February 9, 2025
Reactions were predictably harsh, with many Giants fans suggesting that the NFL on Fox personality’s number should be unretired.
“If they want to unretire his number and kick him out of the Ring of Honor, I wouldn’t be against it.”
Tommy Lugauer was NOT pleased with Michael Strahan waving the Eagles flag while saying “Fly Eagles Fly.” Listen: https://t.co/4dTtHB6ajO pic.twitter.com/IZJHyWDaLv
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) February 10, 2025
The Giants are a dumpster fire. Their product is hardly watchable. Waving a heated rival’s flag and singing their fight song is a form of treason, not a “warning shot” as Amani Toomer suggested. In no way should this be acceptable. #Giants100 https://t.co/6xw8e4cJFP
— WBG84 (@WBG84) February 10, 2025
like deadass unretire the number bro https://t.co/2G3jG8yG6r
— Andrew (@gmengalaxy) February 9, 2025
Even franchise legends are clowning the Giants. They better dig deep and find some pride ASAP.
— Matthew J. Focht (@matthew_j_focht) February 9, 2025
Good lord, what the heck is this? I am not watching the Fox pregame. Been watching NFL Network. But Michael Strahan, come on now. What is this? https://t.co/iJSptT1krP
— Lori Rubinson (@LRubinson) February 9, 2025
Strahan’s former teammate, Amani Toomer, suggested that the anger was misplaced, arguing that Strahan’s waving of the Eagles flag might be seen as a warning to the Giants.
ICYMI on @ESPNNewYork:
Amani Toomer told @ChrisCarlin & @BartScott57 that Michael Strahan’s waving of the Eagles flag is a warning shot at the Giants. pic.twitter.com/N7nlVO4pX0
— Bart & Carlin (@BartAndCarlin) February 10, 2025
While Toomer sees it as a “warning shot,” many Giants fans perceive it as a direct hit. Given the current embarrassment of their team, watching a former legend fawn over a rival on the sport’s grandest stage just adds insult to injury. The Giants must urgently remedy their on-field struggles, as even their icons treat them as a punchline.
