Michael Strahan Jokes That He's an 'Aging Jock' as He Celebrates His 52nd Birthday on “Good Morning America”

Strahan returned to the ABC morning show last week after a hiatus to attend to "personal family matters"

Michael Strahan celebrated his 52nd trip around the sun on Tuesday with a self-deprecating joke on Good Morning America.

After getting birthday wishes from his co-hosts including Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, the former NFL star had a humorous exchange with consumer correspondent Becky Worley while discussing the Theragun handheld deep tissue massager.

"[It's] very helpful for this aging jock," said Worley, 52. "Michael, I don't know about you, but I definitely use it on the thighs, on the arm..."

"When you said 'aging jock,' I thought you meant me because it’s my birthday," Strahan joked. "But that's OK, Becky — and I do use it. I use it as well!."

Related: Michael Strahan Takes His Suits and Skincare Very Seriously: Get an Exclusive Look Inside His Day

Last week, Strahan returned to GMA after a nearly three-week hiatus as he dealt with “personal family matters.”

The sports broadcaster did not address the reason behind his absence on the ABC morning show at the time of his return, though his Roberts and Stephanopoulos, both 62, appeared ecstatic for his return.

Roberts opened the show saying, “Can I just say we have tears of joy because we have Michael back here at the desk with us?”

“It is great to be back with both of you ... and it’s great to see Jeremy Renner conquering another mountain or hill as he’s on his way to recovery," Strahan replied, summarizing one of the top stories of the morning before continuing the broadcast.

Related: Michael Strahan Shares Throwback Photos with His Mom on Her Birthday: 'I'm the Luckiest Man Alive'

His GMA return came three days after the football analyst rejoined Fox NFL Sunday. Strahan returned to the network’s pregame broadcast to honor veterans alongside his co-host, Curt Menefee.

He also appeared on the Fox NFL Sunday TikTok to take part in a quiz to guess the meaning of military terms with Rob Gronkowski, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson.

Related: FOX's Jay Glazer Shares How Michael Strahan Helped Him Through 'Debilitating' Anxiety and Depression

PEOPLE previously confirmed Strahan took a brief break from both shows for private reasons.

"Michael Strahan will not be with us this week as he is dealing with some personal family matters,” an ABC spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement last week. “We appreciate everyone’s thoughts and concerns.”

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Strahan is a dad to four adult children: Tanita, Michael Jr., Isabella and Sophia. He shares his two older kids, Tanita, 31, and Michael Jr., 28, with first wife Wanda Hutchins, to whom he was married from 1992 to 1996. He also shares 19-year-old twins Isabella and Sophia with second wife Jean Muggli, to whom he was married from 1999 to 2006.

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