Strahan says no to Giants comeback
Manning returns to Colts’ practice
EAST RUTHERFORD, N. J. — Seven-time New York Giants Pro Bowler Michael Strahan is staying retired.
“This has been one of the toughest nights of my life,” Strahan told FoxSports.com in a story released Tuesday afternoon. “But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I think it’s just best if I stay retired.”
Tony Agnone, Strahan’s agent, did not immediately return a telephone call from the Associated Press.
Giants General Manager Jerry Reese had asked the 36-year-old Strahan to reconsider his retirement Monday, just 48 hours after the Super Bowl champions lost Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora for the season to a knee injury in the preseason game against the New York Jets.
Strahan needed just about a day to turn down an offer to return for a 16th season with what could have been an $8 million contract.
“I really love my life now,” he told FoxSports.com while on vacation in Greece. “It’s great having nobody put a finger on me. You really put yourself through an awful lot in this league, more than people realize.
Reese did not seem surprised by the decision.
“We knew it was a long shot, but we owed it to ourselves to exhaust the possibility,” Reese said late Tuesday evening. “We appreciate Michael even considering ending his retirement. He has a new career in front of him and we wish him nothing but the best. As we all said when he announced his retirement, Michael was and is a great Giant.”
The Giants moved Mathias Kiwanuka from linebacker to defensive end Monday to take over for Umenyiora, who had successful knee surgery Tuesday morning and was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Strahan has signed a $2 million deal to work for Fox Sports on its NFL pregame show on Sundays.
The Giants, meanwhile, placed wide receiver David Tyree on the physically-unable-to-perform list, meaning the player who made a game-saving catch in the Super Bowl won’t be making any for at least the first six weeks of the season.
Tyree, whose spectacular one-handed catch against his helmet sparked the Giants’ late game-winning drive against the Patriots, has not practiced since training camp opened in July because he is rehabilitating a surgically repaired right knee.
