Michael Strahan issued a formal response to the backlash he received for not placing his hand over his heart during the national anthem on Fox NFL Sunday’s Veterans Day celebration earlier this week.

The move drew considerable backlash from viewers, some of whom called for Strahan to be fired for allegedly “disrespecting” the military.

In a video shared on social media, Strahan maintained that he got “caught up in the moment” and was not trying to make a statement against the military, highlighting that he grew up on a military base himself and also has family who served in the military.

“I have nothing to protest. I have no statement to be made,” he said in the video. “The only statement that should be made and that I want to make is that I love the military, I’ve always loved the military, and I will always love the military.”

He continued, “I do so many programs to help veterans and soldiers. I grew up on a military base with a father who was a major in the Army. My brother, my sister, my cousins, they all served in the military — I’m a military brat. And so the fact of somebody saying that, you know, I’m unpatriotic, couldn’t be any further from the truth.”

The former footballer also admitted that he went into a “panic” when he realized he didn’t have his hand over his heart.

“I’m like, ‘Do I be the fool that puts his hand over his heart after or do I just stand here with my hand in front of me respectfully?’ Which, that’s what I did, that’s what happened,” he said.

Strahan concluded his statement with an apology to those who may have been offended.

“If that offended any of our military and veterans, I apologize to you because that was never my intent,” he said. “I’m a product of the military, a proud lover of the military, and proud lover of all those who serve before, now, and who will serve in the future.”

This is the first time Strahan has publicly addressed the criticism. He shared a tribute honoring his father,  Major Gene W. Strahan Sr., for his work in the military on Veterans Day. He also returned to Good Morning America Tuesday without incident.

A source told The Daily Mail that Strahan was deliberating over whether he should address the backlash at all, especially after it was made clear that he wouldn’t face any punishment or retaliation for the misunderstanding.

“He may address it, but he is weighing his options because he never thought this would have ever been a thing,” the source told The Daily Mail. “He knows the man he is, and he almost doesn’t want to address the controversy to give it more life.”

Amid the backlash, Strahan’s Fox NFL Sundays colleague Jay Glazer quickly came to his defense, writing on X, “When you protest you want people to know, don’t ya? He was NOT, just got caught up in how beautiful the whole moment was during the anthem and didn’t think about it. Ask the dude before forming an angry mob, but also maybe find out alllll he’s done for our veterans over the years.”

The Daily Mail reports Fox Sports is not planning on taking any action against Strahan.