HOUSTON, Texas Texas Southern University s 2013 spring commencement ceremony was packed with homegrown star power Saturday.
Michael Strahan, ex-NFLstar and co-host of LIVE with Kelly and Michael, was awarded an honorary doctorate fromhis alma mater. The board of regents voted unanimously to award the honor to Strahan.
It has been 20 years since he first stepped foot on TSU s campus and Strahan remembered how the university gave him an opportunity when it seemed no one else would.
My Dad told me I was going to play football at TSU, Strahan said. TSU was the only school to offer me a scholarship.
Strahan had only played football for a year prior to joining the Tigers, but he shined on and off the football field. Since then, he has had an incredible 15-year football career and is a Super Bowl Champion.
I am proud to be a TSU Tiger, he said.
He joked with the crowd and flashed his trademark, infectious smile after accepting the award which he said he did not take lightly.
When you earn a degree from TSU, you have met the standard of excellence, he said.
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee named the day Michael Strahan Day and presented the glowing recipient with the proclamation.
Strahan was not the only Houston-bred celebrity in attendance.
Legendary boxer George Foreman was present to support his son, George Foreman IV, who graduated from the School of Communications.
President of Pharmacy, Health, Wellness Services and Solutions at Walgreens Co., Kermit Crawford, served as keynote speaker. Crawford interned at Walgreens in 1983 while he was a TSU student.
Well-wishers who could not make the ceremony could still share in the moment. The entire ceremony was made available to watch live online.
I had to work today but it was great to see all the graduates online from my computer, said TSU alum Femi Felix-Ukwu. Congratulations.
