How Michael Strahan’s Childhood Pet Ended Up On The Dinner Table

Michael Strahan has faced tough tackles on the football field, early mornings on “Good Morning America,” and high-stakes moments in broadcasting. However, nothing prepared him for the jaw-dropping family secret he uncovered years later. His childhood pet pig was actually served for dinner.

The former NFL star and TV host, who grew up between Houston, Texas, and Germany as one of five siblings, had no idea that the pig he once cared for had become a family meal. That is, until Michael Strahan’s former “GMA” colleague accidentally let it slip.

Sara Haines, who worked alongside Strahan on “GMA,” revealed the story during an episode of “The Weekend View” on May 24.

As part of a heartwarming segment filmed before the passing of Strahan’s father, Gene, in 2020, Haines sat down with his parents, Gene and Louise Strahan, for an intimate interview about Michael’s childhood.

“I went to shoot with his parents before his father died because I wanted to give him time with his parents,” Haines explained. “As one of five children, they just talked about him.”

But in the midst of reminiscing, a surprising confession emerged.

“They shared with me that they ate the pig,” Haines said. “And [Michael] didn’t know. He didn’t know, ’cause they were all young.”

Unaware of the culinary fate of his pet, Michael was blindsided when Haines brought it up to him later. “I come back and I’m giving Michael a hard time, as one would, and I joked about the pig,” she recalled. “And he’s like, ‘What are you talking about?'”

Realizing she had spilled a long-held family secret, Haines admitted she instantly felt guilty. “He was like, ‘I had no idea.’ And he called his mom. I was like, ‘I didn’t mean to betray the family trust! I just thought you told him!'”

Now a proud dog dad to pups Enzo and Zuma, whom he introduced in 2023, Strahan may have traded pigs for poodles, but it’s safe to say his family history still has a few wild stories to tell.

As his past childhood stories come to light, Strahan is focusing on the children of his own.

The former NFL player and his daughter, Isabella, recently opened up about a life-changing year that tested their strength, deepened their bond, and ultimately brought new perspective to their lives.

In an issue of Town & Country Magazine, the “Good Morning America” co-anchor appears alongside 20-year-old Isabella on the cover, where the father-daughter duo speaks candidly about her harrowing battle with medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.

Isabella first revealed her diagnosis publicly in January. Now cancer-free, she’s using her voice to raise awareness and reflect on how the experience has reshaped her understanding of life and resilience.

“I feel like I’m 50 years old, with all this life experience,” Isabella told the magazine. “I’ve grown in so many ways. I’m super grateful for walking and talking again. You don’t think about the things you can do until you live without them.”

Medulloblastoma is a fast-growing malignant tumor that develops in the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for movement and coordination. It is most commonly found in children and accounts for roughly 20% of all pediatric brain tumors, according to data published in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience.

Isabella underwent treatment at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, where her recovery began.

“It was definitely tough and painful to watch,” he shared. “It was painful for her to get out of bed and move and do those things that are completely necessary for her to do. As a parent, to see that was unsettling at times.”

Despite the physical toll and emotional weight of her diagnosis, Michael says Isabella’s courage never wavered.

“Throughout this entire journey, Isabella has inspired and helped us all by how she has approached what she was facing,” he said. “She has worked so hard, and with such amazing spirit. And she is still on a journey, with her vision, balance, and getting her weight back.”

The Strahans’ story is one of love, perseverance, healing, and a reminder of how quickly life can change, as well as the strength it takes to fight for every step forward.