Michael Strahan talks about meeting George Clooney

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April 12, 2012, 10:25 p.m. ET

Strahan's Second Act

By ADITI KINKHABWALA

Michael Strahan took a step down into the Library Bar at the Regency Hotel on Park Avenue and there was George Clooney, dapper as always.

The Oscar-winning actor's eyes lit up when he saw Strahan. The two men half-hugged. They chatted about flying in and out of New York in one day and talked about a mutual acquaintance. It wasn't until 35 minutes later, after Strahan had downed a bag of M&Ms, that it came out: no, he's not an old pal of Clooney's.

"That's the first time I met the man," Strahan said. "George Clooney? I don't know George Clooney." And then, a bit bemused, a tad awestruck: "That was George Clooney!"

And this is Michael Strahan.

For the better part of his 15-year career with the Giants and the four years since he hung up his helmet, Strahan has been New York's gap-toothed anomaly—at once a quarterback-eating defensive end and a huggably silly pitchman. His profile has grown as he's gone from a playing days' stint on "The Best Damn Sports Show" to a spot on Fox NFL Sunday, the network's pre-game show. Now, his recognizability is taking another leap as he contends to become a legitimate crossover personality—while learning a ton about interviewers versus interviewees.

"Now that I'm on other side, yeah, I'd probably irritate myself. No doubt," Strahan said.

[rest of interview at link]

melbert wrote:George just makes everyone feel at ease I think!