( CNN ) -- Michael Strahan loves the mega-romantic film `` The Notebook , '' is n't afraid to admit his fear of snakes , supports same-sex marriage and makes Kelly Ripa giggle like no one else . Is it any wonder he 's a media darling ? The former NFL star is a rising star of another sort these days with gigs as co-host on the popular morning show `` Live with Kelly and Michael , '' as a sports commentator and now reports that he may be joining `` Good Morning America . '' Michael Strahan on verge of joining 'Good Morning America ' It 's an interesting trajectory for the 6-foot-5-inch , gap-toothed Strahan , who spent his entire professional athletic career playing for the New York Giants and proudly sports a Super Bowl championship ring . Strahan grew up in Germany , the son of a military man , and briefly played high school football after his family sent him to the States to live with relatives . After playing for Texas Southern University , he was drafted by the New York Giants , where he played from the 1993 to 2007 season . He enjoyed a 15-year career in the NFL and after retiring in 2008 , Strahan followed the route of many former athletes by venturing into sports commentary and signing on as an analyst with Fox Sports in 2008 . He also ventured into the world of acting with commercials for various entities including Vaseline , Subway and with the very short-lived Fox sitcom `` Brothers , '' which premiered in 2009 . But it was multiple appearances guest-hosting on the then `` Live with Regis and Kelly '' morning show that helped him secure a spot as co-host in 2012 after Regis Philbin retired . The pair have become favorites among fans with their easygoing chemistry and obvious adoration for each other . `` He really gets it , '' Ripa told Katie Couric in an interview in 2012 after Strahan was selected following a massive search for her new co-host . `` He gets what we 're about . '' `` It 's how it is all the time , '' Strahan said of his relationship with Ripa , whom he calls his work wife . `` What you see on camera is what you get behind the scenes . '' The former jock has also scored in his personal life . After two previous marriages , the second of which was so explosive it provided plenty of fodder for the New York tabloids , Strahan has been engaged for the past few years to Nicole Murphy , who has five children from her marriage to actor Eddie Murphy . Between Strahan and Murphy , the pair have nine children in their blended family . Appearing on `` Live with Kelly and Michael '' in 2013 to promote her reality show `` Hollywood Exes , '' Murphy shared 10 things most people did n't know about Strahan , including the fact that he ca n't `` stand to be tickled , '' once had a pet pig and `` Michael loves to spoon . '' Such romance is to be expected from a man who is very open about his love of at least one `` chick flick . '' `` 'The Notebook ' gets me every time , '' Strahan told Elle magazine . `` It 's a great love story . Boy from the wrong side of the tracks . They get on each other 's nerves , but they ca n't live without each other . It almost makes me shed a tear . '' Now it looks as if Strahan may be about to bring all that personality to `` Good Morning America . '' He previously filled in for the show 's anchor , Robin Roberts , when she was on sick leave .
Strahan has gone from pro athlete to media darling . Kelly Ripa has had praise for him as a co-host . He is engaged to Eddie Murphy 's ex-wife .