May 16th, Friday, was a day history was made in Madison Square Garden. Outside, fans were climbing up lampposts and screaming from taxi roofs. And the atmosphere inside wasn’t any different either. The New York Knicks had broken a 25-year-old curse as they defeated the Celtics, leading by 38 points. This was the first time in more than two decades that the Knicks entered the conference finals. And as the fans celebrated outside, a New York Giants legend cheered on the inside as well. We’re talking about none other than former Giants WR, Michael Strahan.

Michael Strahan has always had a connection to basketball. His mom, Louise Strahan, was a basketball coach. His dad was a military man and even had a boxing career. They instilled discipline in him, and when they saw his athletic potential, they pushed Michael in that direction. These days, he can often be seen courtside at Knicks games with his family and friends, cheering their home team on. So when the camera caught Michael Strahan at the Knicks vs. Celtics game, it wasn’t much of a surprise. But what caught everyone’s attention was the timing of when they showed Strahan.

Michael Strahan posted a picture of himself, wearing a cool Knicks jacket, cheering the team on Instagram. The picture is a still from the game footage. What’s interesting is the moment we get to see Michael Strahan on the screen. As Michael Strahan noted it himself in the caption, “This has to be @nyknicks year! 92 points on the scoreboard when they showed me #92…. Coincidence? I don’t think so!😂 Let’s go get it @nyknicks 💪🏾” Michael’s jersey, retired after his football career, was also 92. So when the screen showed him and the Knicks had 92 points, it almost seemed too good to be a coincidence. Maybe the cameraman spotted Strahan and planned this shot? Whatever it was, it was a genius moment caught on camera. Strahan has a strong demand from the Knicks now. Michael’s “Let’s go get it” isn’t just encouragement. It’s almost a war cry.

The only thing standing between the Knicks and the NBA finals is some skillful wins against the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks haven’t won a championship since 1973. An even longer curse that the fans are hopeful will finally break this year. And as Michael and his friend Charles Utti cheer them on with 100% lung capacity, their energy might just rub off. As Michael’s daughter, Isabella Strahan, noted so rightly in the comments, “@cutti2015 is hype 🔥”. And as Michael’s squad cheers the Knicks on, the fans can’t get enough of the Knicks or Strahan.

Fans love the Knicks, and Michael Strahan

When it comes to the city that never sleeps, sports is its lifeblood. Everybody lives and breathes sports. If their team does badly, you’ll likely see them having the worst week of their lives. So when an NFL legend showed up to support their favorite basketball team, the fans just couldn’t keep calm. Especially as they rallied behind Michael Strahan’s war cry. As one fan wrote, “It definitely is there year! Let’s go Knicks!”, another summed up the moment with an “EPIC! 🔥🙌🏿”. And of course, there were the standard shouts of fire, “🔥🔥🔥‘. But more than the game win, it looked like people were rallying behind Strahan showing up. As one fan in particular wrote, “I love the Knicks and I love u Strahan ny forever ❤️”

The love didn’t end there. As one person hyped up Michael Strahan with a “Let’s go @michaelstrahan !!!!,” someone made the connection between the score in the picture and Strahan’s jersey. “The # 92 Wow your football Jersey Number”. Another loved his energy and cheered him on for his efforts with “Way to go 92# 😍❤️” Another quipped back at Strahan’s ‘coincidence’ comment and said, “Follow the signs”. But another clarified that it wasn’t, after all, a coincidence. “Not a coincidence! You OWN that number in New York bro 👊 #92 #gmen” Michael’s Knicks jacket got a shoutout too, in the middle of all this as one fan added, “Your jacket is as hot as you! You are my all time favorite man!” But the highlight? One fan understood Michael Strahan’s energy and love for the game, and wrote, “My mann, the happiest smile in the Garden 🔥🔥 I hope the B-room floor still looks good!! 😁 big fan here 👊🏽”

While Michael Strahan gathered all the love for him, showing up for the city, he wasn’t the only Giants player to do so. The NY Giants’ IG page posted a picture of their new QB, Russell Wilson, holding a Knicks basketball and smiling at the camera. Linebacker Brian Burns was also spotted in the crowds, cheering the home team on. The Giants and not just about football. They are New York through and through, and at moments like these, it shows out brighter than ever.