Michael Strahan Gives Heartfelt Speech on Leaving 'Live'

— -- After it was announced yesterday that Michael Strahan was leaving "Live with Kelly and Michael" to take on a full-time role at "Good Morning America," the NFL Hall of Famer took some time out on Wednesday's show to share an emotional message with his fans.

"Kelly's off today," he started, with his friend and co-host Kelly Ripa not at the anchor desk. "I've been in the news lately ... I am leaving this show."

But Strahan, 44, stressed that it's still ABC, "the same channel," and joked he "was reading some stuff and it sounded like I died."

Strahan added that "it's not a eulogy" and that he still has months on the program he's co-hosted for the past four years.

"To all our viewers ... you still continued to give us your eyeballs and watch this show," he said of when he took over as co-host. "Thank you guys ... I can't ask for better fans."

Strahan also thanked the staff and said "I'm always available to guest co-host ... I'm not going anywhere."

Yesterday's announcement from ABC News President James Goldston revealed the shift from "Live" to "GMA" will happen in September. The show "will kick off the search for a new co-host when the new season begins in the fall," Goldston added.