Why Akbar Gbajabiamila Reached Out To Michael Strahan

If you only know Akbar Gbajabiamila from his sports-related careers, then you may be surprised to learn what he's doing now. Gbajabiamila started as a football player with the NFL, serving as linebacker and defensive end for the San Diego Chargers, the Miami Dolphins, and the Oakland Raiders. He was chosen to be one of the first students to participate in the NFL's Broadcast Boot Camp — an intensive workshop offered by the league to train athletes in sports journalism. He soon became co-host of the thrilling obstacle course reality competition, "American Ninja Warrior," only a year after he retired from football in 2008. He serves as co-host alongside another former athlete-turned-commentator, Matt Isman.

But Gbajabiamila recently landed a new co-hosting gig, this time among the morning show panelists of CBS' "The Talk." With the departures of both author and "Project Runway" judge Elaine Welteroth and "Dancing with the Stars" judge Carrie Ann Inaba, Gbajabiamila is ready to fill in with his male perspective, alongside Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots, and the other male voice, Jerry O'Connell.

Though he's comfortable being in front of the camera for sports events, a morning talk show is a different ball game. (See what we did there?) So Gbajabiamila reached out to another former athlete-turned-host: Michael Strahan.

Naturally, Akbar Gbajabiamila wanted to do a good job in his new role, so he reached out to an expert — one with a similar experience as his own — to help him. According to People, Gbajabiamila phoned "Good Morning America" host Michael Strahan, who he considers "the blueprint for athletes transitioning into media," and asked him for a favor. 

"I just cold-called and said, 'Hey, you know, I love what you're doing. I'm excited about what you're doing. Can I shadow you?'" Gbajabiamila told People. "I met him early in the morning and we went from what he was doing with 'Kelly and Michael,' and he then went from there to 'GMA.' He allowed me to shadow him through the whole process." Discussing his previous relationship with Strahan, who also played for the NFL, Gbajabiamila said, "We played during the same time but I never met him, never knew him. He knew my brother [Kabeer, of the Green Bay Packers], but we really didn't cross paths like that."

Fortunately, the distant connection didn't prevent Gbajabiamila from reaching out to his NFL colleague, who was more than happy to help. "He was just dropping me dimes, just like, nuggets here and there, here and there," Gbajabiamila said. "And so I'm forever grateful for that time and that opportunity." Gbajabiamila enjoyed the "overwhelming but exciting and encouraging" experience and called Strahan "one of the coolest dudes on the planet."

With his appointment as permanent co-host on "The Talk," fans are loving Akbar Gbajabiamila and his place among the panelists. Along with Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, and Jerry O'Connell, Gbajabiamila and the team are gaining new ratings and positive comments from viewers. "#TheTalk ... continues to show viewer growth," CBS tweeted, with a photo of the cast in their Halloween costumes. "Last week the show had its biggest week in 8 months."

Fans seem to concur, tweeting their praise for the lineup. "Finally, this is the perfect group of hostesses & hosts!" one fan tweeted. "Fun & funny! Great group! Enjoying watching once again!!" Another also had praise: "SO STOKED that the show has turned back into a fun, celebrity-driven entertainment show. Full of laughs and light-hearted humor." And another simply said, "The best group."

When David Alan Grier appeared on the show on November 10, one viewer expressed her appreciation for the new cast. "Kind and high-larious words from @sherylunderwood & @MrJerryOC & @Akbar_Gbaja," she tweeted. "@TheTalkCBS has taken on a whole new vibe, and I'm here for it, baby!"