If you are a fan of TV shows and sports, you might have heard of the names Tracie Strahan and Michael Strahan. They both have the same last name and they both work in the media industry. But are they related? And if so, how?
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Tracie Strahan and Michael Strahan are Cousins
The answer is yes, they are related. They are cousins and both are TV personalities. Tracie Strahan is a reporter and anchor for NBC 4 New York, covering breaking news, human interest stories, and entertainment. She has been with NBC since 2006 and has won several awards for her journalism work.
Michael Strahan is a former NFL player who played as a defensive end for the New York Giants for 15 years. He is also a Pro Football Hall of Famer, a Super Bowl champion, and the NFL single-season sack record holder. After retiring from football, he became a media personality, appearing as a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, a co-host of ABC’s Good Morning America and Live! with Kelly and Michael, and a host of The $100,000 Pyramid. He has also won two Daytime Emmy Awards for his hosting skills.
The tweets between the two in 2013 prove that they are related. In one tweet, Tracie congratulated Michael for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, calling him “cuz”. In another tweet, Michael thanked Tracie for her support and called her “family”.
The Strahan Family Background
Tracie and Michael are both from Texas and they both have large families. Tracie is the daughter of Willie James Strahan and Dorothy Mae Strahan. She has four siblings: Willie James Jr., Darryl Lynn, Debra Ann, and Kelvin Lamont.
Michael is the son of Gene Willie Strahan and Louise Traylor Strahan. He has five siblings: Jeanette, Michael Jr., Calvin, Wanda Hutchins, and Debra Lynn. He is also the nephew of retired NFL defensive lineman Art Strahan.
According to Michael’s Wikipedia page, his father was a retired Army Major and a boxer who had a 1–1 record against future heavyweight Ken Norton. His mother was a basketball coach who taught him how to play the game. When Michael was 9, his family moved to Germany because of his father’s military career. He did not start playing football until he was a senior in high school, when he moved back to Texas to live with his uncle.
According to Tracie’s bio on NBC 4 New York’s website, she graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in broadcast journalism. She started her career as a reporter and anchor in Lubbock, Texas, before moving to other markets such as Orlando, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She joined NBC 4 New York in 2006 as a general assignment reporter and became an anchor in 2017. She is married to J.D. Ryan and they have two children: Jaden and Ryan.
The Strahan Family Legacy
Tracie and Michael are both successful TV personalities who have made their mark in their respective fields. They are also proud of their family heritage and their cousin relationship. They often support each other on social media and in person.
In 2014, Tracie attended Michael’s induction ceremony into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. She posted a photo of them together on Instagram with the caption: “So proud of my cousin @michaelstrahan on his induction into the @profootballhof! He’s always been a champion to me!”
In 2019, Michael lost his sister Debra Strahan to an undisclosed cause of death. He took some time off from Good Morning America to mourn with his family. Tracie posted a tribute to her cousin on Twitter with the message: “Sending love & prayers to my cousin @michaelstrahan & our entire family as we lay his sister Debra to rest today.”
Tracie and Michael are examples of how family ties can transcend distance and time. They are both inspirations to many people who admire their achievements and their bond.
