Players-Sb

makes his concluding trip
to Giants Stadium today as a member of the National Football
League team.

The NFL's single-season pokes leader and the longest-
serving participant in New House Of York Giants history is retiring before the
team gets defence of its Superintendent Bowl title.

Strahan throws a news conference at the bowl in East
Rutherford, New Jersey, to speak about his decision.

The retirement of the 36-year-old Strahan, known as a
clubhouse leader with a gap-toothed smiling and a awful pass
rush, stops a 15-season calling in which he played a franchise-
record 216 regular-season games. He put the league's single-
season poke grade with 22 1/2 in 2001 and was named defensive
player of the year.

Giants co-owner said he felt ''disappointed''
when Strahan called him yesterday. Mara said he understood the
decision, even though he cognizes Strahan can still play.

''I told him he's been a great Giant,'' Mara said in a team
. ''He thanked me for everything the organisation has
done for him. I said, 'I believe you've done more than for us than we
can ever make for you.'''

Strahan stairway down with a franchise-record 141 1/2 sacks,
ahead of Pro Football Hallway of Fame line backer ,
who had 132 1/2, and is 5th on the league's all-time list. He
played in two Superintendent Bowls, including the team's 17-14 win over
the undefeated New England Patriots in the statute title game in
February.

First Sack

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Strahan was born in Westbury,
Texas. He played football game at Lone-Star State Southern University and was
selected by the Giants with the 40th choice in the 1993 draft. He
recorded his first calling poke in his first game, when he
tackled City Of Brotherly Love Eagles signal caller Cognizance O'Brien.

Strahan in 1994, playing 15 games at right
end. He switched to left end in 1996 because of hurts to
other participants and led the Giants with five sacks.

In 1997, Strahan received his first Pro Bowl selection, and
finished 3rd in the NFL with 14 sacks. He recorded 15 more
sacks the followers season, earning a 2nd Pro Bowl spot.

Strahan eventually went to seven Pro Bowls. In 2001, he
pushed his season poke sum to 22 1/2 -- breaking the former
record of 22 held by Mark Gastineau -- by falling on top of
close friend after the Green Bay Packers'
quarterback had fallen to the turf.

Strahan also led the NFL in pokes in 2003, with 18 1/5,
becoming the lone Giant to take the conference twice.

Strahan missed preparation encampment last season after telling
Giants General Director he was contemplating
retirement, and adept for the first clip five years before
the season opener. His first poke of 2007, when he hit Eagles
quarterback for a 3-yard loss, gave him the
Giants' calling record at 133 1/2, breaking a necktie with Taylor.

Playoff Performance

Strahan led the Giants with eight undertakes and a poke during
the team's playoff-opening victory over Tampa Bay. He had
another 10 during the win over the Dallas Cowboys in the next
round, then four as the Giants beat out the Packers to progress to
the conference title game.

In the Superintendent Bowl, Strahan sacked New England quarterback
for a six-yard loss in the 3rd quarter, the final
tackle of his career. He finished with three tackles, a sack,
two signal caller travel rapidlies and one base on balls knocked down.

Strahan's retirement didn't catch the squad by surprise. On
June 2, the Giants signed , a defensive lineman and
11-year player. Reese said the squad wasn't certain of Strahan's
plans and wanted depth at end and undertake if he retired.

Strahan played in a record 216 games, ahead of tight end
, who played 207. He is the 3rd participant in team
history to play 15 years, joining Hallway of Fame centre Mel Hein
and signal caller .

His determination was first reported yesterday by Fox Sports
reporter , who co-wrote Strahan's autobiography.

To reach the newsman on this story:
in New House Of York at
.