The New York Giants announced on Wednesday that they will retire Michael Strahan’s No. 92 jersey on Nov. 28 in a Week 12 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Michael Strahan was one of the greatest players in franchise history,” Giants co-owner John Mara said. “He deserves to have his number retired as other Giants immortals have, including Mel Hein, Frank Gifford, and Lawrence Taylor.
“Michael’s career was defined by his achievements, his consistency, and his leadership. Very few defensive ends played the position as well as Michael. He was a tremendous run defender as well as a great pass rusher. And he realized a goal every player aspires to, but few achieve, winning a Super Bowl in his final game. We are grateful for all his contributions and are happy to officially say no Giants player will ever wear No. 92 again.”
Strahan spent 15 years with the Giants from 1993-2007 and owns the franchise record and sixth-most sacks in NFL history with 141.5, including an NFL single-season record of 22.5 in 2001 that earned him NFL AP Defensive Player of the Year honors.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and a four-time first-team All-Pro, Strahan is one of just four Giants — the others being Eli Manning, Phil Simms, and Mel Hein — to play for the franchise for 15 or more seasons.
He ranks second in team history behind Manning with 216 games played and wrapped his career up in storybook fashion, helping the Giants win Super Bowl XLII against the New England Patriots; considered one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.
“That’s like the ultimate respect from your team,” Strahan said when he was surprised with the announcement on Wednesday morning, flanked by former teammates in Manning, Jesse Armstead, and Justin Tuck while on the air working his current job as one of the hosts for ABC’s Good Morning America.
“It’s like you did so much in that number in the way you represented it, not just on the field, but off the field in the community… that number is significant and attached to you in what you’ve done. I’m honored… I’m really stunned.”
Strahan’s No. 92 will be the second jersey retirement of the 2021 season after the Giants honor Manning on Sept. 26 against the Atlanta Falcons. That will bring the organization’s retired-jersey count up to 12: No. 1 (Ray Flaherty), 4 (Tuffy Leemans), 7 (Mel Hein), 11 (Phil Simms), 14 (Ward Cuff and Y.A. Tittle), 16 (Frank Gifford), 32 (Al Blozis), 40 (Joe Morrison), 42 (Charlie Conerly), 50 (Ken Strong) and 56 (Lawrence Taylor).
