Michael Strahan turns down Giants offer of $8 million per, to stay retired

After toying with the idea of returning to the NFL with the New York Giants, 7 time Pro Bowler Michael Strahan has opted to stay retired.  Unlike Brett Favre, Strahan took time to think through the implications of returning both for him and the team.  Ultimately, he decided that since he’d not be able to commit himself 100% mentally to life as a pro football player that it wouldn’t be fair to the franchise or his teammates.

Following some significant injuries to the Giants’ defensive starters, Strahan was asked to reconsider his retirement by GM Jerry Reese.  After considering a number of scenarios, Strahan decided against returning for a 16th season that would have netted him $8 million dollars.

Unlike many former athletes, Strahan appears to have found contentment in retirement:

"I really love my life now. 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.”

GM Reese was resigned to the decision, and wished Strahan the best:

"We knew it was a long shot, but we owed it to ourselves to exhaust the possibility. 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 display of class, respect and clear headedness all the way around is a marked contrast to the recent Brett Favre “un-retirement” fiasco.  Reese will have some personnel shuffling to do in the wake of a season ending injury to Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora, but seems to realize that Strahan’s return is only a stop gap solution.  For Strahan, he’s got a new gig on the FOX TV NFL pregame show that’ll pay him a cool $2 million per year.