MICHAEL Strahan shared that he nearly left his broadcasting job during his early days with Fox NFL Sunday.

The 52-year-old NFL icon opened up on his broadcast career in a YouTube interview with Graham Bensinger.

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Strahan played all 15 seasons as a defensive end with the New York Giants, earning seven Pro Bowls during that span.

During his final year in the NFL, in the 2007-08 season, he helped the Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 42.

Strahan made the transition to be a broadcaster for Fox NFL Sunday in 2008, and he’s been a staple on the program ever since.

“I ended up in Fox and I felt comfortable in that role,” the 52-year-old said.

Strahan did admit, however, that there were growing pains early on in his Fox broadcasting role.

“After the first three weeks [of the job], I was ready to go back to football,” he said.

But Strahan found out that commentating was right for him.

“I realized I could do that for a long time,” he said.

“Everything else happened… I needed something else.”

Strahan referenced his eventual Good Morning America anchor role and numerous other TV gigs and business ventures.

When it comes to his TV broadcasting future, Strahan discussed the reasons why he would retire.

“At some point, you’ve got to look back,” the NFL Hall of Famer said.

“I love my life. I enjoy my life. My kids are in college. I want to be able to go to college. I want to be able to say, ‘Hey, let’s go take a trip,’ not, ‘Oh, I’ve got to get this vacation time off.’

“I want a life where there’s some freedom at some point.”

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Strahan then gave a strong one-line statement about his eventual retirement.

“I guarantee you this: I’ll be off TV before a lot of people [are] sick of seeing me on TV,” he said.

Michael Strahan’s NFL career

Michael Strahan is one of the most recognizable faces on television.

But he came into his media career off the back of a hugely successful stint in the NFL.

Strahan spent 14 years all with the New York Giants from 1993 to 2007.

He was a seven-time Pro Bowler and helped them win the Super Bowl in 2007 – ending the New England Patriots’ hopes of a perfect season.

Strahan was also a two-time NFL sacks leader and also won Defensive Player of the Year.

The ex-Giants star set the single-season sack record with 22.5 in 2001 – a feat which was matched by J.J. Watt exactly 20 years later.

He is one of the best defensive stars to have ever played the game – finishing with 141.5 career sacks and 854 tackles.

Strahan appears on the Fox NFL Sunday program when the NFL season is in full swing.

He is joined by NFL icons Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, and Jimmy Johnson.

Strahan appears on GMA throughout the year.