Michael Strahan addressed backlash for receiving it not putting his hand over his heart during the national anthem — and afterwards throwing the phone at a reporter when asked about the controversy.

“I want to address what happened last weekend and I feel like I have to because it has spilled over to the point where I’m getting out of my car today and I’m ambushed by a media outlet here at my place. house,” the “Good Morning America” ​​co-host began a selfie video posted on Instagram tuesday evening

Strahan admitted he’s “not proud of the way (he) handled the whole situation,” but hoped people would “understand” where he was coming from when he ripped the videographer’s phone and threw it into a bush outside his home.

“You have to protect your family and your home, which is what I felt I had to do at the time,” he said.

The former footballer, 52, then explained his side of the controversial moment last weekend when he didn’t put his hand over his heart during the national anthem while surrounded by hundreds of Marines in San Diego for Veterans “Fox NFL Sunday” Daytime Show.

“I didn’t have my hand across my chest,” he recalled. “Everyone thought, ‘Protest, make a statement,’ which is so far from the truth. I have nothing to protest. I have no statement to make. The only statement that should be made and that I want to make is that I love the military. I have always loved the military and I will always love the military.”

Strahan reminded his followers that he comes from a military background and “grew up on a military base” with his father. His brother, sister and cousins ​​also served in the military.

“For someone to say I’m unpatriotic couldn’t be further from the truth, and if you want the truth, I’ll tell you: the truth is I’m caught up in the moment,” he said.

“I look at all these young sailors standing there at attention before the national anthem is played and I think, ‘How incredible?’ How incredible to be so young and know you want to do this? It’s such a commitment, but you’re willing to commit to something that you know gives us our freedoms, plain and simple. I’m just standing there in awe.”

The former NFL player said that until he realized he was the only one with his hand on his heart, he didn’t know the right thing to do.

“I kind of panicked and said, ‘Am I the fool who puts his hand on his heart after that?’ Or do I sit here with my hands in front of me respectfully? Which, that’s what we did and that’s what happened,” he shared.

Strahan offered an apology if he “offended any of our military and veterans” because that was “never (his) intention.”

“I am a product of the military, a proud lover of the military, and a proud lover of all who have served before now and will serve in the future,” he concluded.

The former New York Giants defensive end shared the statement after fans called him out on social media for his “disrespectful” behavior during the broadcast.

The situation escalated when a Daily Mail reporter asked him about the reaction outside his home, and Strahan responded by throwing the photographer’s phone into a bush.

“Don’t come to my house,” Strahan said repeatedly.