GMA’s Michael Strahan marks co-star’s surprise retirement news with bittersweet tribute

The ABC News anchor is also a regular contributor to NFL on Fox on Sundays

Michael Strahan is giving one of his longtime on-air colleagues a sweet send-off, paying tribute to NFL legend and veteran commentator Jimmy Johnson.

The 81-year-old former NFL head football coach has been an analyst with NFL on Fox since 1994, returning in a full-time capacity for the network after a few years off in 2002.

He announced the morning of March 3 that the 2024 season was his last, as he is now set to retire from broadcasting after a career spanning nearly three decades.

Jimmy was a host for NFL on Fox on Sundays alongside Michael, 53, who has been an analyst with the network since 2008, yubibefore he even joined Good Morning America.

The former New York Giants star marked Jimmy’s retirement news with a photo of the two embracing while on the job, and wrote alongside it: “Congratulations on your retirement @jimmyjohnson4616!” 

“It has been 17 seasons of fun and laughs sitting next to you. You’re truly one of a kind and thanks for being you and gifting me with one of the best friendships anyone could ever ask for. Hope you enjoy fishing and drinking beers on the boat. You deserve it, love you Coach!”

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“It has been 17 seasons of fun and laughs sitting next to you. You’re truly one of a kind.”

Jimmy himself sweetly responded to the tribute with: “Michael, you’re one of the nicest, most talented individuals I’ve ever known…great friend.”

Jimmy’s tenure as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1989 to 1993 resulted in highly successful consecutive seasons for the team, leading to back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1993 (Super Bowl XXVII) and 1994 (Super Bowl XXVIII).

The pro football hall of famer announced the news the morning of March 3 on the sports show The Herd with Colin Cowherd, saying: “I’ve made an extremely difficult decision.”

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Michael and Jimmy have worked as analysts together for NFL on Fox since 2008

“I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years and I’ve decided to retire from FOX. I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss all the guys, and I’ll see them occasionally, but it has been a great run starting back 31 years ago.”

FOX CEO Eric Shanks shared a statement concerning the news, which reads: “Jimmy Johnson was there when FOX NFL SUNDAY came on-air for the first time 31 years ago, and since then has been a cherished member of our FOX Sports family, which makes today’s retirement news bittersweet.”

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Jimmy has two Super Bowl wins to his name as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys

“Jimmy served as an inspiration to generations of football fans with his legendary swagger, one-of-a-kind insight and signature humor,” it continues. “From his motivating pep talks to his unmatched energy over the years, he was our coach who always pushed us to be better.”

5 biggest NBC controversies

© Kevin Winter

1.  Matt Lauer allegations

Matt Lauer, one of NBC’s biggest stars for over 20 years, as the host of the Today was fired in November 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations. Multiple allegations resurfaced, but NBC claimed to be unaware of Matt’s behaviour. However, these claims were disputed by individuals who had worked with Matt, creating a major controversy.

2. The Hollywood tape

Just before the 2016 U.S. presidential election, The Washington Post released a 2005 taped conversation between Billy Bush and Donald Trump, in which Trump made offensive comments about women, while Billy laughed in the background. Two days after the tape’s release, NBC suspended Billy from his co-hosting role and he was eventually fired.

3.  The Biggest Loser

The Biggest Loser, a 2004 reality show where contestants competed to lose the most weight for a cash prize, became an NBC hit. However,  a 2016 study showed that most participants regained the weight they lost, leading to criticism of the show’s approach to wellness. The series was canceled in the same year.

4. The Tonight Show conflict

The 2010 conflict over who would host The Tonight Show became a major PR issue. Jay Leno, who hosted the show since 1992, was given his own primetime slot in 2009, leading to Conan O’Brien becoming the new host. However, when ratings fell, NBC reportedly paid Conan and his team $45 million to step down so Jay could reclaim the show.

5. Brian Williams’s fake story

In 2015, NBC nightly news anchor Brian Williams claimed he was aboard a helicopter that was downed by enemy fire in the Iraq War. His story was disputed by several military veterans who were present, leading Brian to apologise on air, saying the incident was a “fog of memory.” He was later dismissed from the role.

“We’re incredibly grateful for his contributions in making FOX NFL SUNDAY the top pregame show on TV, where we shared countless memorable moments, highlighted by surprising him live on-air with the news he was being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame — an occasion we will never forget.”