Photo: FOX Sports/Twitter
Michael Strahan’s upcomingtrip to spacewill be one to remember.
The retired NFL star, who turned 50 last month, will be one of six crew members on Blue Origin’s third crewed flight, which is scheduled to blast off on Saturday.
“Listen, we’ve got something we want to present to you, Michael,” Bezos said as he grabbed the ball and gave it to Strahan. “We cannot send you, of all people, up into space without a football.”
The former safety then joked, “If I fumble [the ball], it’s just going to float, so no problem!”
Strahan shared the clip on his Twitter page Friday morning and noted how “honored” he is to bring the football to space. “Thank you, @JeffBezos, for surprising me with this,” he added.
Of course, that’s not the only special item theGood MorningAmericaanchor will be bringing with him.
Strahan previously revealed to PEOPLE that he’ll also be taking along a number of sentimental touchstones, including 12 shell casings from the 12-gun salute performed at his fatherGene’s funeral, his Super Bowl XLII Ring, and a lucky $2 bill.
Earlier in the segment, Bezos commented on how “excited” he is for Strahan to make the trip.
“It is the most profound, meaningful experience,” Bezos told Strahan. “I don’t know what its going to be like for you. You’re going to see the Earth. You’re going to see how vulnerable it is and how fragile it is. You’re going to see the blackness of space. You’re going to see this gem — all life is]supported on this one little rock.”
He added, “It’s going to change you. Everybody who’s been there, it’s changed them. I don’t know what it’s going to do to you, but I can’t wait to talk to you afterwards and find out!”
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Also taking flight are space industry executive and philanthropist Dylan Taylor, investor Evan Dick, Bess Ventures founder Lane Bess and his son Cameron Bess, per Blue Origin.
Just days before the launch, the Bezos Earth Fundannouncedthat it awarded $443 million in grants to organizations fighting for climate justice as well as nature conservation and restoration.
The grants are part of the fund’s$10 billion commitment to fight climate change.
source: people.com
