Aug 26, 2008 - 6:38 PM
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Strahan told FoxSports on Tuesday that he has turned down the New York Giants' offer to return and will remain retired.
"This has been one of the toughest nights of my life," Strahan told Fox from Greece. "But after long deliberation and throwing around a million scenarios in my head for the past day, I just think it's best if I stay retired."
The Giants contacted Strahan, the franchise's all-time leader in sacks, about a possible return after defensive end Osi Umenyiora suffered a season-ending injury in Saturday's preseason game against the New York Jets.
According to the New York Daily News, a Giants' team official called Strahan to gauge his interest in returning. The newspaper reported Monday that the 36-year-old Strahan, who helped the Giants win the Super Bowl, would return to the team if offered an $8 million contract for this season.
After announcing his retirement, Strahan took a job with Fox Sports as a studio analyst.
"I have gone back and forth on this because as a player you always want to play," Strahan added. "You never lose that urge to be out there. But I could do this only if I could commit 100 percent, physically, mentally, emotionally, and I can't do that. I've tried to convince myself and my body to give it one more year, but in the end I just don't think I could turn it on like I need to again."
Strahan is in Greece on vacation and had been unaware of Umenyiora's injury, which created .a major void along the Giants' defensive line. Umenyiora, who led the team with 13 sacks last season, suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee and the Pro Bowler underwent Tuesday.
Strahan, who ranks fifth on the NFL's all-time list with 141 1/2 sacks, spent his entire 15-year career with the Giants. The highlight of his career came in February when the Giants stunned the previously unbeaten New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
"I really love my life now," Strahan said. "I wish I could've had different news for Giants fans but I've known for a while I'm done."
New York coach Tom Coughlin announced Monday that Mathias Kiwanuka would take Umenyiora's place at right end.
A 2006 first-round pick, Kiwanuka played strongside linebacker last year. He missed the final six regular-season games and playoffs with a broken leg.
