The days of NFL players showing up at stadiums wearing dad jeans and team-issued hoodies are long gone. The era of tunnel walks and Met Gala invites has begun, where gridiron kings moonlight as runway royalty. From Justin Jefferson’s Vogue flex with A’ja Wilson to Joe Burrow’s shirtless blazer moment in Paris, the NFL’s top players are creating trends more quickly than breaking news.
Burrow and Jefferson have been carrying the fashion torch like a Lombardi in a league where Sunday fits are almost as important as Sunday stats. But not everyone is buying the hype and excitement. The Hall of Famer turned fashion entrepreneur, Michael Strahan, just called an audible on the conversation, and you might be surprised by his choice.
During an interview with the Off Ball, Michael Strahan was asked a question: “Who’s the most influential sports figure right now?” His response was far from standard. “In football… Stefon Diggs is good because he’s into fashion and all those things. I think… he’s like a guy in the fashion world who’s pretty influential, and I like following.” That’s all. Nothing about Justin Jefferson’s most recent photo shoot for Vogue. No recognition for Joe Burrow’s backless Paris fashion moment. Stefon Diggs has gained Strahan’s admiration in the fashion industry, despite recovering from a season-ending injury. And people pay attention to what a man like Strahan has to say, who has established a whole fashion business.
A few days ago, it was Jefferson who lit up Instagram with images from a Vogue photo shoot. He was rocking a green blazer with a blue floral accent. His caption? One word only: “Vogue!!” Still, it said a lot. Besides showing off his style, the Vikings’ wide receiver was reassuring both fans and critics that he is more than a football player. And Jefferson exudes confidence in everything from well-tailored clothing to trash talk in Call of Duty. Despite the quarterback turmoil that is raging in Minnesota, JJ’s commitment is unwavering. “It don’t matter who’s going to be throwing the ball, I’m going to make a play for sure,” he stated. Followers on social media, fashion pages, and cultural conversations have dubbed his Vogue outfit ‘fire’.
Meanwhile, Burrow’s path into fashion began modestly in Athens, Ohio. But that didn’t stop him from wearing a backless jacket to dominate Paris Fashion Week. Burrow received criticism from both reviewers and critics, but he accepted it. He told Vogue, “I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and grow as a person.” So, he has walked red carpets and rubbed shoulders with Pharrell and Kendall Jenner, all while maintaining his small-town cool. Burrow is all about evolution, whereas Jefferson is all about confidence. But despite all that power, Strahan didn’t give them a sidelong glance. But as it happens, Strahan was too preoccupied with planning his fashion comeback to pay attention to Burrow and Jefferson.
Michael Strahan brings the heat back to FOX NFL
Just as fans were beginning to fear that Strahan could abandon his media role, the former Giants legend revealed some positive news, and fashion was once again at the center of it. “Missing the NFL on FOX crew a little extra today. The good news… only 108 days until regular season kickoff & an abundance of incredible looks from the guys,” Strahan said in a post that highlighted his NFL on FOX crew. Translation? The suits are all set to return. Strahan’s enthusiasm was about fits as much as football. NFL analysts now have the same style as NFL stars thanks to his Michael Strahan Brand, which has been gradually taking over broadcast fashion.
Strahan’s designs were the main attraction of the 2025 Super Bowl, as you most likely recall. Legends like Rob Gronkowski and Terry Bradshaw wore his brand’s jackets. During America’s largest sporting event, Strahan’s label became a major player thanks to billboards and pop-ups.
The Michael Strahan Brand, which was first introduced as MSX in 2016, now includes skin care products, personalised suits, and even pyjamas. And, like its founder’s legacy, it gets louder with each new NFL season.
So, who is the true fashion icon of the NFL? Jefferson is the talk of Vogue. Burrow has the style of Paris. However, Diggs is the one who, in Strahan’s opinion, is genuinely influencing everything. You can be sure that a man who dresses for the Super Bowl isn’t only speculating when he hands out style points. The NFL’s new era is as much about fashion as it is about football, whether it’s through a tunnel fit, a Met Gala appearance, or a FOX studio style. And Strahan? One suit at a time, he is customising the story.
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