The New York Giants just suffered through one of the most humiliating seasons in franchise history. Saquon Barkley winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles was already painful enough, but Michael Strahan—one of the greatest Giants of all time—somehow found a way to make it worse.
During Fox NFL Sunday’s Super Bowl pregame show, Strahan waved an Eagles flag and belted out "Fly, Eagles, Fly" in support of Barkley. The betrayal was stunning. This wasn’t just any former player showing love to an old teammate—this was a Hall of Famer, a franchise icon, the heart and soul of the Giants' 2008 Super Bowl team, openly repping their biggest rival on the game’s biggest stage.
Michael Strahan saying “Fly Eagles Fly” and waving the Eagles flag 🤔 pic.twitter.com/8KgfiXH6c4
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) February 9, 2025
As expected, Giants fans were furious. And instead of calling it what it was—flat-out incomprehensible—former Giants wide receiver and all-time leader in receptions Amani Toomer decided to spin it into some kind of “warning shot” at the organization, saying:
“That’s a shot across the bow. That’s a warning shot,” Toomer explained on Bart & Carlin. “We want results. We want to be proud of the organization that we shed blood, sweat, and tears (for). We’re not just going to waive the pom-poms if we don’t feel like it’s a product that is worth waiving the pom-poms for. That’s why we’re holding them accountable like they held us accountable for 13 of my years and 15 of Strahan’s years. So, don’t be mad at that. Don’t let the anger fall away from where it should be.”
Michael Strahan didn’t send a “warning shot”—he embarrassed the Giants
Toomer’s argument is that Strahan’s actions were a statement about how far the Giants have fallen. His logic? If the team wasn’t such an organizational mess, Strahan wouldn’t be out there waving the enemy’s flag and singing along with them. But that misses the mark.
This isn’t some random ex-Giant trying to make a point. This is Michael Strahan. The man had his number retired at halftime in 2021 against the Eagles. They didn't do it during some meaningless game. That's calculated, intentional. His name is in the Ring of Honor. He is a Giants legend, not some disgruntled former player trying to send a message. There is no world where waving a division rival’s flag and chanting their fight song is anything but flat-out betrayal.
Strahan knew exactly what he was doing. He wasn’t making some deep statement about the Giants’ failures—he was celebrating the Eagles. He was waving their flag and backing their success. No amount of Toomer spin can change that.
Look, Giants fans aren’t blind. This organization is a disaster right now. And yes, general manager Joe Schoen deserves every bit of criticism for the state of the team. He let Barkley walk for nothing. He botched the Daniel Jones contract. He’s fumbled free agency, some prominent draft selections, and roster construction seemingly at every turn.
But Toomer acting like that’s the real issue here completely misses the point. Strahan didn’t have to do this. He didn’t have to wave that flag or chant that song. He could have outwardly criticized Schoen and the Giants, like several others have. There’s a line that players who are true franchise legends simply don’t cross. And Strahan, unfortunately, obliterated it.
Toomer can try to spin it however he wants, but there’s no justifying what happened. This wasn’t some symbolic protest against Giants ownership. This was one of the most beloved Giants of all time openly riding with the enemy. And that’s flat-out disgraceful.