The NFL has changed drastically over the years. Between rule tweaks and trends, the game is not the same as it was just five years ago, let alone 17 years ago — the last time retired New York Giants defensive end and Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan was on the field.
The league has made a strong push toward player safety. Even just this season, you see the drastic changes to the kickoff rules to enhance player protection.
The NFL has also changed how they protect the quarterback. The rules of today would make it more difficult for Strahan to dominate the way he once did.
Strahan was one of the more feared pass rushers in the league during his time and was aggressive in getting to the quarter. And then more aggressive once he did.
Recently, former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger shared a funny story about Strahan and what he liked to do to opposing quarterbacks during his era.
“I was with Michael Strahan this week and he was talking about how soft the quarterbacks are (today),” Roethlisberger said. “He literally said, ‘My favorite thing to do was hit a quarterback and then land on them.’ Not drive them into the ground but land on them. And he goes, ‘You’d hear them go ehhhhhh.’ And he said, ‘I literally felt like the life just left their body.’
“And he says it with the big Michael Strahan smile and the happiness.”
Strahan was never considered a dirty player during his career. However, naturally, hitting the quarterback was his job so it’s no surprise that Strahan found enjoyment in doing a little extra damage.
