ABC likes Mike: Strahan selected Kelly Ripa’s co-host on ‘Live’

NY, NY, United States (NewsBahn) – Count it as another ‘sack’ for former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

The NFL legend, who led the team to one of its recent Super Bowl victories, has been selected as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on ABC’s ‘Live’ following the departure of star Regis Philbin last November.

Strahan has some television ‘chops’, already working on FOX’s Sunday morning NFL show.

He was also one of Ripa’s 59 guest hosts, taking ‘Reege’s’ former seat in June and apparently impressed Ripa with his presence and personality.

Strahan is over a foot taller than Ripa at 6-5, weighs 275 and is famous for his gap-tooth smile.

At 40, he’s a year younger than Ripa, who long ago took over from Kathy Lee Gifford as Philbin’s co-host.

While word came Monday of Strahan’s hiring, his duties will officially begin September 12 for the start of the program’s 25th season.