Imagine the scene at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans where the Eagles clipped the Chiefs’ wings and stopped what could have been a historic three-peat! While most NFL teams were probably breathing a sigh of relief that Kansas City’s dynasty got interrupted, there was one interesting twist in this tale. Enter Michael Strahan – you know, the Giants legend who famously helped crush the Patriots’ perfect season dreams back in Super Bowl XLII (2008)! The same guy who led that incredible defensive line that gave Tom Brady nightmares. But, this time around, our hero wasn’t exactly thrilled with how things played out.
It became apparent when he welcomed the 6X Grammy winner, drummer, and record producer, Questlove, on February 13, episode of Good Morning America on Fox. While talking about the producer’s Valentine’s Day plans, Strahan remarked, “No, I’m not going to ask you to be my Valentine’s, you’re an Eagles fan that wouldn’t work.”
The drummer of The Roots, a Philly-based hip hop band, has been a lifelong fan of their home team. But Michael Strahan played for Giants the entire 15 years of his NFL career. And they have often mocked each other playfully. It happened when the Birds won their first Super Bowl (LII) in 2018.
Questlove and the Roots were performing at the halftime of the NFC Championship game between the Eagles and the Vikings. Strahan was present as an analyst for Fox NFL Sunday and revealed on the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, “Before the show I go to rehearse, and I sit in my seat and these fools left me a note. It was a picture of like a bird or man stepping on another person, and it said ‘Go Eagles,’ and it pointed to the person being stepped on and it said ‘Michael.’” That’s hilarious.
Later, when the Grammy winner went to Fallon’s show, he just mumbled and shrugged off his shoulders, denying any role in that. The Giants have pretty historic rivalries in the league.
Epic rivalries of Michael Strahan’s NY Giants
The NFC East division is an explosive one. The Giants have given tough competition to the Eagles and Commanders over the years. Even Wellington Mara, owner of the franchise since 1959 till his death in 2005, considered Commanders their truest rivals. It’s the oldest one, starting in 1932, which the NY team lost. But, they lead the overall series by 108 wins & 73 losses, with 1-1 playoff record.
However, Michael Strahan’s team has faced tough competition from the Eagles also, since their first meeting in 1933, which also the NY team lost. Just by a difference of one year, it makes it the 2nd oldest rivalry for the franchise. The Eagles have cruised ahead of the Big Blue in recent times. After the 2024 season, the win-loss record stands 96-89 in favor of the Birds, who also lead 3-2 in postseason comparison.
This year has been truly exemplary for them. Saquon Barkley, the 2nd overall Giants pick in 2018 NFL Draft, played 6 seasons for them. But the team couldn’t rally behind him. And he switched to the Eagles ahead of 2024 season. Here they are now, with a Super Bowl. His dream came true. But it was a nightmare for the Giants. Their star played helped their rival become champions.
These rivalries make the game much more fun and worth-watching. It’s history happening in front of our eyes.
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