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Michael Irvin (b. March 5, 1966 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida) was an American football star.
One of 17 children, he starred at St.Thomas Aquinas high school before attending the University of Miami. With the Hurricanes, under coach Jimmy Johnson, he set school records for receptions (143), receiving yards (2,423) and TD receptions (26). He was part of the National Championship team of 1987.
In a class rich with talented wide receivers, Irvin was taken 11th overall in the 1st round of the 1988 NFL draft. He was the last first round pick of Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. Despite injuries, Irvin led the National Football Conference with a 20.4 yards per catch average in his rookie season. In 1989, Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys and fired Landry. Irvin was then re-united with Jimmy Johnson.
Injuries hampered Irvin's development in 1989 and 1990, but in 1991 he led the League with 1,523 yards receiving and set a Cowboys record with 93 receptions. Along with NFL rushing champion Emmitt Smith, they became the first pair of teammates to lead the NFL in both rushing and receiving yardage.
In 1992 and 1993, Irvin was a key player on the Cowboys' first two Super Bowl teams. In 1994, he enjoyed another stellar campaign with his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl season, but that year the Cowboys lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. For his part, Irvin had one of the most productive days in NFL playoff history with 12 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
In 1995, Irvin set an NFL record by recording 11 straight 100 yard games receiving. He broke his own team records with career highs in receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,603). Dallas steamrolled through the playoffs and Irvin was a Super Bowl champion for the third time.
In March of 1996, however, Irvin was arrested on charges of cocaine possession. He plead no contest and was found guilty and sentenced to community service and probation. The NFL suspended him for the first five games of the 1996 season.
The distraction would prove too great for the Cowboys as they struggled out of the gate and never recovered. Irvin tallied 962 yards in only 11 games.
Controversy would rear its head again as the Cowboys headed into Carolina for their NFC Divisional Playoff game. The media reported that Irvin and teammate Erik Williams had sexually assaulted a woman and videotaped the interaction. Despite constant denials from Irvin, this story overshadowed the game and again proved a giant distraction for Dallas. The accuser was later proven to have fabricated the entire incident, but the damage to his reputation was already done.
Dallas lost to the Carolina Panthers, and Irvin was unable to finish the game after he broke his collarbone midway through.
Irvin had solid years in 1997 and 1998. During the fifth game of the 1999 season, however, Irvin was knocked down hard at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It proved the last play of his career.
He was subsequently diagnosed with a narrow spinal column and was forced to retire. He finished with 750 receptions for 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns. His reception totals were 10th all time when he retired. He was selected to 5 Pro Bowls and won 3 Super Bowls. His off-field stories sometimes overshadowed his on-field play, but Irvin is expected to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame eventually. Irvin now is an NFL analyst for ESPN.
At 6-2 and 205 pounds, Irvin was a big, physical receiver who manhandled cornerbacks and often was able to make tough catches in defensive traffic. Because of his ability to push off the defender with such ease, the NFL eventually changed its rules to adjust to wide receivers who emulated Irvin's physical style.
Irvin married Sandy Harrell in June 1990; they have 4 children. Irvin has a daughter, Myesha Beyonca, by former girlfriend, Felicia Walker.
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