Weeks after Michael Strahan confirmed that he was in talks to join Good Morning America, he made his debut on the program Tuesday to announce that he had indeed taken the correspondent job.
As Pharrell Williams' "Happy" played, the NFL Hall of Famers gleefully walked down a red carpet. "When I'm here a few days a week, can that play every time?" Strahan asked his new colleagues.
"We love you, we love [Kelly Ripa]—you've been great friends to us over the years. We're so, so excited that you're going to join us a couple days a week," co-anchor Robin Roberts said. Co-anchor George Stephanopoulos added, "The way you all stepped in, especially while Robin was away dealing with her transplant, was so special to all of us. We're so glad you're going to be here all the time."
Stephanopoulos then gifted Strahan with an alarm clock—just in case he has trouble waking up early!
"It's a pleasure to get up early because you guys have been so good to us as well. Kelly and I really appreciate it. Robin, you fill in for Kelly when she's not there, and it's a family. So we appreciate it," Strahan said. In addition to covering sports, he will also do news features on topics that interest him. "Now instead of talking to the TV, I actually get to talk to you," he jokingly warned the GMA staff.
Lifestyle anchor Lara Spencer then gave Strahan another gift: a giant coffee mug! "A supersize personality deserves a supersize cup of joe! We had that special-made for you, Mr. S," she said. The former New York Giants player marveled the silly present and joked, "This is the only coffee cup that makes my hands look small. Thank you! If I drink all of this, it will be one heck of a morning in America, I'll tell you that!"
Strahan will continue to co-host Live! With Kelly and Michael.