As it turned out, done really means done.
“I wish I could’ve had different news for Giants fans but I’ve known for a while I’m done,” recently and still-retired Michael Strahan told FOXSports.com.
Just like that, this mini-saga comes to an end. Ever since Saturday night, when the lateral meniscus cartilage in the left knee of Osi Umenyiora tore and ended his season before it ever started, Strahan’s possible return was on the minds of not only devoted Giants fans but also teammates and yes, coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Jerry Reese.
An offer was made to lure Strahan back but after considering a return Strahan kept true to the sentiment he expressed so eloquently back on June 9, the day he officially bid adieu to the Giants: He has no desire to play any more.
Vacationing in Greece, Strahan told FOXSports.com “This has been one of the toughest nights of my life. 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.
“I have gone back and forth on this because as a player you’ll always want to play, you’ll never lose that urge to be out there. But I could only do this if I could commit 100 percent, physically, mentally, emotionally and I can’t do that. I’ve tried to convince myself and my body to give it one more year, but in the end I just don’t think I could turn it on like I need to again.
“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.”
As he embarks on a broadcasting career as a FOX Sports studio analyst (for $2 million per year), Strahan opted not to cash in one last time. “He turned down a lot of money,” Tony Agnone, Strahan’s agent, told The Post.
How much? Agnone wouldn’t say but sources indicated it was more than $7 million to play this season.
“We knew it was a long shot, but we owed it to ourselves to exhaust the possibility,” said Reese, who had the strong backing in this endeavor of co-owner Steve Tisch. “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.”
When he first heard from the Giants, Strahan was “initially fired up and excited,” according to Agnone. The more he thought about it, though, Strahan realized he would not be returning as a Pro Bowl player in his prime but as a 36-year old part-time defensive end.
“He thought maybe I’m not going to be as much of a help as I thought I’d be,” Agnone said. “If he can’t put his best Hall of Fame talent on the field he’s not going to play.”
Mathias Kiwaunka has moved from strong side linebacker back to his natural position on the line to start in place of Umenyiora at right end. The Giants never felt desperate to bring Strahan back.
“Why bring in somebody?” linebacker Antonio Pierce wondered. “We got all the talent in the world in this room, regardless of if a guy got hurt or not. We can replace – we can’t replace – but you can make up from an Osi with a Kiwi.”
Pierce was not dismissing a possible Strahan comeback but rather, took an analytical look at the pros and cons of Strahan getting back in uniform and clearly did not think it was wise.
“I’m saying outside of the field, I’m saying as a friend, once you come back you can’t turn away again,” Pierce said. “It’s not going to be about money or feeling sorry for the Giants because we lost Osi, he’s going to do it because he wants to play football. And if he doesn’t, he’s moving on, which he’s already done.”
He’s moved on. Again.