Michael Strahan

Michael Strahan

Michael Strahan is the starting defensive end for the "New York Giants. He holds the NFL record for sacks in a single season with 22.5, breaking New York Jets great Mark Gastineau's total of 22 in the 2001 season, though it is tainted with controversy. Before the sack that enabled Strahan to set the record, Green Bay Packers quarterback (and close friend) Brett Favre spoke briefly with him. On the next play, Favre dropped back as if to pass, then suddenly scrambled towards the side that Strahan was rushing from, abruptly diving onto the ground, allowing Strahan to fall on top of him for an easy sack. After the play, during the ensuing celebration, many of the Giants' defensive players patted Favre on the helmet. Many observers accused Favre of deliberately falling to ensure that Strahan would get the record.

Strahan currently has 141.5 career sacks, 794 career tackles, 4 career interceptions, 21 forced fumbles and 2 career touchdowns in 200 games over a 15 year career (through 2007 season). Throughout the greater part of the 2004 season, Strahan was injured with a torn pectoral muscle, which limited him to only 4 sacks. He rebounded in 2005, returning to the Pro Bowl, with his partner, Osi Umenyiora as the two combined for 26 sacks while anchoring the Giants' defense. He is a future Hall of Famer.