Michael Strahan gained some perspective about his future after his daughter, Isabella, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a type of malignant tumor in her cerebellum, and underwent brain surgery.
The legendary Giants star and “Good Morning America” anchor, 52, explained his retirement from television might come “a lot sooner” following Isabella’s cancer treatments over the last year in a new cover story with “Town & Country,” which was released Tuesday.
“I’ve always had those thoughts,” Strahan said of retirement. “It will happen at some point. It’s not happening anytime soon. The kids are still in school. I’m empty-nesting again. I have loved having the energy and noise and arguing around the house, but I’m just so happy for Isabella to get back to college [at USC]. I want her to have that sense of independence again because my kids can’t grow if they’re under my shade.
“I’m not planning on retiring anytime soon. I will at some point, and I’d like to say a lot sooner than a lot of people probably think I will. When I do it, it will be because I just want to have the freedom to be with her and her sister, and her other sister and brother. Wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, I want to be there.”
Strahan joined “Good Morning America” full-time in 2016 after leaving “Live with Kelly and Michael,” the morning show he co-hosted alongside Kelly Ripa since 2012.
The Hall of Fame defensive end is also an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.
Strahan retired from the NFL after he won a Super Bowl with the Giants in 2008.
The seven-time Pro Bowler spent his entire 15-year career with New York and recorded 141.5 sacks — the fifth most in NFL history.
In the past year, Isabella, 20, underwent three surgeries, along with six weeks of radiation and four rounds of chemotherapy.
The model, who had to relearn how to walk and talk, returned to USC for her sophomore year in August, though her recovery is ongoing.
Strahan explained that he lives “more in the moment” after his daughter’s illness.
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“I’m more gentle in a lot of ways,” the Super Bowl champ said. “I always loved and appreciated my family, but sometimes you’re just working, working, working. Now I work, but I see an end to that, because I want to spend time with my family. It’s the most important thing. I love that my girls are in college and I have the ability to go and spend time with them.
“We’ve always been a close family, but this last year has given me some perspective. At the end of the day the most important thing is your kids, your family, your mom, your father, your other loved ones — and just to hold them close to you, and your friends as well. Now I wake up every day and enjoy that day, more so than looking to next week, next month, or next year.”
Strahan recently became a grandfather when his eldest daughter, Tanita, welcomed a son in September.
He had Tanita and son Michael Jr., with his first wife, Wanda Hutchins, before welcoming twins Isabella and Sophia with his second wife, Jean Muggli.