EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – On Monday night, Michael Strahan heard the raucous cheers of the Giants fans one more time as he received his Pro Football Hall of Fame ring. The 2014 inductee was joined by fellow Giants Hall of Famers Frank Gifford, Harry Carson and Lawrence Taylor in a ceremony at halftime of the Giants game against the Indianapolis Colts.
In addition, 35 of Strahan's former teammates formed a gauntlet for him as he ran from the tunnel to a stage set up in the center of the field in MetLife Stadium. The group included Jessie Armstead, Jason Sehorn, Chris Snee and Amani Toomer.
Strahan hopped up the steps and bowed in all four directions as the crowd screamed. He then received his ring from David Baker, the president and chief executive of the Hall of Fame.
"All I'm going to say is there is no me without everybody lining this way being a part of it, without all of the guys who couldn't make it that were a part of the teams I was a part of from '93 to 2007," Strahan said. "With these guys who are up here with me to lead the way, to inspire me to come out here every day, practice and in every game to be the absolute best I can be. And the reason for that and the reason we did it is because we did it for the most important people who come in this stadium every Sunday and that is you, the fans."
Each fan entering the stadium received a while towels with word STRAHAN, a 92 (his uniform number) and the phrase, "Once a Giant, Always a Giant."
The Giants honor DE Michael Strahan during halftime and present him with his HOF ring
Strahan asked the fans to use their towels as props to help work themselves into a frenzy.
"I know you have your rally towels, right?" he said. "Everybody put their towel up. If you've got a towel, put your towel up. Don't wave it yet, don't wave it yet. Hold your towel. You know how we do stuff. We don't just stomp you out from the beginning, we don't wave the towel from the beginning, you've got to be signaled to do it. All I'm going to say is - I know you want to wave it for me and my number, but that means nothing. Waive those towels for every player who's ever put on this uniform, for every fan who's ever rooted for this team because we are the New York Giants."
Strahan then exited the stage to another loud ovation.
Check out pictures of Giants alumni during the pregame ceremony
Gary Jeter takes the field at halftime of the Giants-Colts game to honor Hall of Fame inductee, Michael Strahan. Jeter played defensive end for the Giants from 1977 to 1982.
Mark Bavaro (middle) is seen with Jim Burt (left) at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Bavaro played tight end for the Giants from 1985 to 1990 while Burt played defensive tackle for the team from 1981 to 1988.
Ed Baker pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Baker played quarterback for the Giants in 1971.
Ottis "OJ" Anderson pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Anderson played running back for the Giants from from 1986 to 1992 and was named the Most Valuable Player in the Giants' Super Bowl XXV victory over the Bills.
Mike Whittington pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Whittington played linebacker for the Giants from 1980 to 1983.
Bob Tucker takes the field at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Tucker played tight end for the Giants from 1970 to 1977.
Lou Slaby pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Slaby played defensive tackle for the Giants from 1963 to 1965.
Lee Rouson shown during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Rouson played running back for the Giants from 1985 to 1990.
Jimmy Robinson takes the field during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Robinson played wide receiver for the Giants from 1976 to 1979.
Mark Collins pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Collins played defensive back for the Giants from 1986 to 1993.
Deon Grant pictured during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Grant played for the Giants from 2010-2011 and contributed to the team's victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Although he played for four teams, Grant decided to retire as a Giant in 2013.
Deon Grant pictured during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Grant played for the Giants from 2010-2011 and contributed to the team's victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. Although he played for four teams, Grant decided to retire as a Giant in 2013.
Don Hermann pictured during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Hermann played wide receiver for the Giants from 1969 to 1974.
Bob Hyland takes the field during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Hyland played guard for the Giants from 1971 to 1975.
Giants Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor (left) and Harry Carson (middle) pose with former teammate Gary Reasons during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Reasons played linebacker with Taylor and Carson during his seven seasons with the Giants.
Karl Nelson (middle) seen with Dave O'Brien (left) at the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Nelson played offensive tackle for the Giants from 1983 to 1989.
Bob Kratch waves at the crowd during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Kratch played guard for the Giants from 1989 to 1993.
Former Giant John Lium pictured during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan.
Tom Longo pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Longo played defensive back for the Giants from 1969 to 1970.
Bob Lurtsema waves to the crowd during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Lurtsema played on the Giants' defensive line from 1967 to 1971.
Larry Mallory waves to the crowd during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Mallory played defensive back from 1976 to 1978.
Phil McConkey pictured during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. McConkey played wide receiver for the Giants from 1984 to 1985. After a brief stint with the Packers, McConkey returned to the Giants in 1986 before leaving again in 1988.
Karl Nelson pictured during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Nelson played offensive tackle for the Giants from 1983 to 1989.
Bart Oates pictured during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Oates played center for the Giants from 1985 to 1993.
Ken Parker waves to the crowd during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Parker played defensive back for the Giants in 1970.
Gary Reasons takes part in the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Reasons played linebacker for the Giants from 1984 to 1991.
Jim Robinson waves to the crowd during halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Robinson played wide receiver for the Giants from 1976 to 1979 and returned to the team as a coach from 1998 to 2003.
Lee Rouson shown during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Rouson played running back for the Giants from 1985 to 1990.
Lou Slaby pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Slaby played defensive tackle for the Giants from 1963 to 1965.
Jim Stienke pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Stienke played defensive back for the Giants from 1974 to 1977.
Bob Tucker takes the field at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Tucker played tight end for the Giants from 1970 to 1977.
J.T. Turner waves to the crowd during the Giants' halftime celebration honoring Michael Strahan. Turner played offensive tackle for the Giants from 1977 to 1983.
Mike Whittington pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Whittington played linebacker for the Giants from 1980 to 1983.
Ottis "OJ" Anderson pictured at halftime of the Giants-Colts game. Anderson played running back for the Giants from from 1986 to 1992 and was named the Most Valuable Player in the Giants' Super Bowl XXV victory over the Bills.
Ed Baker (left), Bill Ard (middle) and Ottis "OJ" Anderson (right) pictured during halftime of the Giants-Colts game.
Former Giants running back Brandon Jacobs seen with head coach Tom Coughlin.
