Michael Strahan

Strahan in 2009, photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Michael Anthony Strahan

Place of Birth: Houston, Harris, Texas, U.S.

Date of Birth: November 21, 1971

Ethnicity: African-American, as well as small amount of English

Michael Strahan is an American professional football player, television personality, and journalist. A defensive end, he played fifteen seasons for the New York Giants of the National Football Association (NFL). He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was a co-host of the show Live! with Kelly and Michael from 2012 to 2016, and is also known as a host of Fox NFL Sunday, Good Morning America, and Pyramid. He is 6′5″.

Michael is the son of Louise (Traylor), a basketball coach, and Gene Willie Strahan, a U.S. Army major and boxer. His uncle was professional football player Art Strahan. He was raised partly in Mannheim, West Germany. Michael has two children with his former wife, businessperson Wanda Hutchins; and two children with his former wife Jean Muggli.

Michael’s paternal grandfather was Willie L. Strahan/Strahand (the son of Abe/Abraham Strahan/Strahand and Malonia Shankle). Willie was born in Wiergate, Newton, Texas. Abe was the son of Isaac Bost/Boaz Strahan and Amanda/Mandy/Manda Lewis. Malonia was the daughter of Henry/James Shankle and Caroline Simmons. James’s parents, Michael’s great-great-great-grandparents James Shankle and Winnie Brush, founded the unincorporated community of Shankleville, Newton County, Texas.

Michael’s paternal grandmother was Gentie/Gentle Mae Fowler (the daughter of General Major Fowler and Lillie M. Leonard). Gentie was born in Texas. General Fowler was the son of Berry Fowler and Ellen/Priscilla Brown/Gallaway/Gasaway. Lillie was the daughter of Levi Leonard/Lenard and Louiza/Lue/Lou/Louisa A. Holmes.

Michael’s maternal grandfather was James Curtis Traylor (the son of Jado/Jeredo/Jedo/Jerde D. “Judo” Traylor and Creola Mead). James was born in Newton County, Texas. Jeredo was the son of Thomas Traylor and Hannah Armstrong. Creola was the daughter of William A. Bishop and Harriett Mead/Meade. Michael’s great-great-grandfather William was white and Michael’s great-great-grandmother Harriett was black. According to research displayed on the show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (2019), the couple lived near each other, maintained a relationship for over a decade, and had four children together. They did not marry, which was illegal at the time in Texas.

Michael’s maternal grandmother was Caroline McCarter (the daughter of Early McCarter and Emily Twine). Caroline was born in Jamestown, Newton, Texas. Emily was the daughter of Dock Twine and Maria/Mariah Hicks, who was born in Florida.

Sources: Genealogy of Michael Strahan – https://famouskin.com

Genealogy of Michael Strahan (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.geni.com