View source for Michael Irvin

{{Short description|American football player, actor, and sports commentator (born 1966)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name         = Michael Irvin
| image        = File:Michael Irvin by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| caption      = Irvin in 2023
| number       = 88
| position     = [[Wide receiver]]
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1966|3|5|mf=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], U.S. 
| height_ft    = 6
| height_in    = 2
| weight_lb    = 207
| high_school  = [[Piper High School (Florida)|Piper]] (Sunrise, Florida)<br>[[St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Florida)|St. Thomas Aquinas]] {{nowrap|(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)}}
| college      = [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami (FL)]] ([[1984 Miami Hurricanes football team|1984]]–[[1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1987]])
| draftyear    = 1988
| draftround   = 1
| draftpick    = 11
| pastteams    =
* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ([[1988 Dallas Cowboys season|1988]]⁠–[[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|1999]])
| highlights   =
* 3× [[Super Bowl champion]] ([[Super Bowl XXVII|XXVII]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|XXVIII]], [[Super Bowl XXX|XXX]])
* First-team [[All-Pro]] ([[1991 All-Pro Team|1991]])
* 2× Second-team All-Pro ([[1992 All-Pro Team|1992]], [[1993 All-Pro Team|1993]])
* 5× [[Pro Bowl]] ([[1992 Pro Bowl|1991]]–[[1996 Pro Bowl|1995]])
* [[List of National Football League season receiving yards leaders|NFL receiving yards leader]] (1991)
* [[NFL 1990s All-Decade Team]]
* [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]]
* [[College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS|National champion]] ([[1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1987]])
* First-team [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] ([[1986 College Football All-America Team|1986]])
* 2× Second-team All-American ([[1985 College Football All-America Team|1985]], [[1987 College Football All-America Team|1987]])
| statlabel1   = [[Reception (American football)|Receptions]]
| statvalue1   = 750
| statlabel2   = [[Reception (gridiron football)|Receiving yards]]
| statvalue2   = 11,904
| statlabel3   = [[Touchdown|Receiving touchdowns]]
| statvalue3   = 65
| pfr          = IrviMi00
| HOF          = michael-irvin 
}}

'''Michael Jerome Irvin''' (born March 5, 1966) is an American sports commentator and former professional [[American football|football]] player who spent his entire 12-year career as a [[wide receiver]] with the [[Dallas Cowboys]] of the [[National Football League]] (NFL). Widely considered to be one of the greatest wide receivers of all time,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tallent |first=Aaron |date=February 18, 2022 |title=25 Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History |url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-wide-receivers-nfl-history |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405075026/https://athlonsports.com/nfl/25-greatest-wide-receivers-nfl-history |archive-date=April 5, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=AthlonSports.com |language=en}}<br>{{Cite web |last=Patuto |first=Greg |date=May 15, 2020 |title=Ranking The 20 Greatest NFL Wide Receivers Of All Time |url=https://clutchpoints.com/ranking-the-20-greatest-nfl-wide-receivers-of-all-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207200923/https://clutchpoints.com/ranking-the-20-greatest-nfl-wide-receivers-of-all-time/ |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=ClutchPoints |language=en-US}}<br>{{Cite web |last=Markarian |first=Jerry |date=April 27, 2022 |title=The 10 Best NFL Wide Receivers Of All Time, Ranked |url=https://www.thesportster.com/best-nfl-wide-receivers-ranked/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627193218/https://www.thesportster.com/best-nfl-wide-receivers-ranked/ |archive-date=June 27, 2022 |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=TheSportster |language=en-US}}</ref> he was inducted into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2007.

Irvin played [[college football]] for the [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami Hurricanes]] and was selected in the first round of the [[1988 NFL draft]] by the Cowboys. He played for the Cowboys from 1988 to 1999 before sustaining a [[cervical fracture]] of his spine in a game against the [[Philadelphia Eagles]], in which he was carted off the field and transported to a [[Philadelphia]] hospital, forcing him to retire.

Irvin was nicknamed "'''the Playmaker'''" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his college and pro careers, and he relished the nickname, even acquiring "PLY MKR" as his [[Texas]] [[Vehicle registration plate|vanity license plate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2012/02/08/08sports-figures-and-their-license-plates|title=Sports figures and their license plates|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=February 8, 2012}}</ref> Along with [[Troy Aikman]] and [[Emmitt Smith]], Irvin was one of three key Cowboys offensive players known as "The Triplets", who led the Cowboys to three [[Super Bowl]] wins in [[Super Bowl XXVII|1992]], [[Super Bowl XXVIII|1993]], and [[Super Bowl XXX|1995]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2166604|title='Triplets' honored: Aikman, Emmitt, Irvin in Dallas' Ring|date=September 20, 2005|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

Irvin is a former broadcaster for [[ESPN]]'s ''[[Sunday NFL Countdown]]'' and currently an analyst for [[NFL Network]]. In 2009, he competed in [[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. season 9)|Season 9]] of ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'' and was the season's ninth contestant to be eliminated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://pophangover.com/?p=4341|title=Dancing With The Stars Season 9 Cast|access-date=August 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090819004443/http://pophangover.com/?p=4341|archive-date=August 19, 2009|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Eng |first=Joyce |title=''Dancing with the Stars'' 2009 Season 9 Cast Revealed! |url=http://www.tvguide.com/Dancing-Stars/Dancing-Stars-2009-1009007.aspx |work=TVGuide.com |date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=August 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818155421/http://www.tvguide.com/Dancing-Stars/Dancing-Stars-2009-1009007.aspx |archive-date=August 18, 2009 }}</ref> He was one of the co-hosts of the [[Fox Sports 1|FS1]] weekday debate show ''[[Speak (talk show)|Speak]]'' with [[Paul Pierce]], [[Keyshawn Johnson]], and [[Joy Taylor]].

==Early life==
Irvin was born March 5, 1966, in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]]. He is the 15th of 17 children in his family.<ref name=Out>{{cite web |url=https://www.out.com/entertainment/sports/2011/07/10/michael-irvin-playmaker-preaches#Top |title=Michael Irvin: The Playmaker Preaches |last=Zeigler |first=Sid |work=Out Magazine |access-date=July 14, 2011}}</ref> Irvin first attended [[Piper High School (Florida)|Piper High School]] in [[Sunrise, Florida]], and then went on to become a football star at [[St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale)|St. Thomas Aquinas High School]] in Fort Lauderdale.

While at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Irvin was heavily recruited by the [[University of Miami]] to play for the [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami Hurricanes]], one of the top collegiate football programs in the nation.

==College career==
At the [[University of Miami]] under coach [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]], Irvin set school records for the [[Miami Hurricanes football|Miami Hurricanes]] for career receptions (143), receiving yards (2,423 and later broken by [[Santana Moss]]), and touchdown receptions (26). He was a member of the University of Miami's [[1987 Miami Hurricanes football team|1987 national championship team]] and made one of the most legendary plays in school history that year, scoring on a 73-yard fourth-quarter touchdown pass from [[Steve Walsh (American football)|Steve Walsh]] that provided the margin of victory in Miami's victory over archrival [[1987 Florida State Seminoles football team|Florida State]], which propelled them into the national championship game, the [[1988 Orange Bowl]], against the top-ranked [[1987 Oklahoma Sooners football team|Oklahoma Sooners]].

Irvin was selected three times as an [[College Football All-America Team|All-American]] by the [[Newspaper Enterprise Association]], earning second-team honors as a freshman, first-team as a sophomore, and second-team again as a junior.<ref name="NEA 1985">{{cite news|title=NEA 1985 All-America football team|newspaper=Lead (SD) Daily Call|date=December 6, 1985|page=7|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5310372/nea_1985_allamerica_football_team/}}</ref><ref name="NEA 1986">{{cite news|title=Miami leads All-Americans|author=Murray Olderman|newspaper=Del Rio, Texas News Herald|date=December 26, 1986|page=5B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5643097/miami_trio_leads_allamericans/}}</ref><ref name="NEA 1987">{{cite news|title=NEA/World Almanac Team: Here Are the 1987 All-Americans|newspaper=Del Rio, Texas News-Herald|author=George Robinson|date=November 22, 1987|page=3B|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5713711/neaworld_almanac_team_here_are_the/}}</ref>

In 1988, following his junior year at the University of Miami, Irvin announced he was skipping his final year of college eligibility and declaring his eligibility for the [[1988 NFL draft]].

===College statistics===
*1985: 46 catches for 840 yards and 9 TD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/michael-irvin-1.html|title=Michael Irvin College Stats - College Football at Sports-Reference.com|website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>
*1986: 53 catches for 868 yards and 11 TD.
*1987: 44 catches for 715 yards and 6 TD. 2 carries for 4 yards.

==Professional career==
Irvin was selected by the [[Dallas Cowboys]] as the 11th pick in the first round of the [[1988 NFL draft]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1988 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1988/draft.htm |access-date=September 23, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> He was the last first-round draft pick made by the Cowboys under the leadership of long-time general manager [[Tex Schramm]], player personnel director [[Gil Brandt]], and head coach [[Tom Landry]]. Schramm predicted that Irvin would accelerate the Cowboys' "return to the living".

=== 1988 season ===
As a rookie in the [[1988 Dallas Cowboys season|1988 season]], Irvin became the first rookie receiver in Cowboys' history to start a season opener in 20 years. In the opening game of his rookie season against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] at [[Three Rivers Stadium]] on September 3, 1988, Irvin caught his first NFL career touchdown. He also caught three touchdown passes in the Cowboys' win over the [[Washington Commanders|Washington Redskins]] on December 11, 1988, at [[Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium|RFK Stadium]], which represented one of only three wins in the Cowboys' 3–13 1988 season, which was the final season of Landry's career. For the season, Irvin led the [[National Football Conference|NFC]] in average yards per catch with a 20.4 yard average per catch.

=== 1989 and 1990 seasons ===
In [[1989 Dallas Cowboys season|1989]], the Cowboys hired [[Jimmy Johnson (American football coach)|Jimmy Johnson]], Irvin's coach at the [[University of Miami]], to replace Landry. The Cowboys' misfortunes continued in 1989, and they finished the season with a 1–15 record, the worst season record in Cowboys franchise history. Injuries limited Irvin to only six games during the season. He had been on pace to gain over 1,000 receiving yards until tearing his [[anterior cruciate ligament]] in his right knee in a game against the [[San Francisco 49ers]] on October 15, 1989, after which he was placed on the [[injured reserve list]] for the rest of the 1989 season and the first three games of the [[1990 Dallas Cowboys season|1990 season]].

In 1990, Irvin did not register his first reception until the seventh game and finished the season with just 20 receptions for 413 yards, but also averaged 20.7 yards per catch.

Before the injury, Irvin was almost [[Trade (sports)|traded]] to the [[Los Angeles Raiders]] to help bring talent to the Cowboys and potentially pair him up with [[Tim Brown (American football)|Tim Brown]], but Raiders owner [[Al Davis]] essentially talked Johnson out of the trade by saying, "You sure you want to do that? Who is going to catch passes for you?" Johnson instead traded [[Herschel Walker]] to the [[Minnesota Vikings]] in what would come to be known as the [[Herschel Walker trade]]. One factor in Irvin almost being traded was that then-offensive coordinator [[David Shula]] thought Irvin was slow and not a team player. When the Cowboys fired Shula and replaced him with [[Norv Turner]], the notion of trading Irvin became nonexistent in part because Turner believed Irvin would become a superstar in his system.

=== 1991 season ===
In [[1991 Dallas Cowboys season|1991]], Irvin was a major factor in the Cowboys reaching the playoffs. He finished the season with 93 receptions (second in the NFL for the season), 1,523 receiving yards (first in the NFL for the season), eight receiving touchdowns, and set a Cowboys franchise record with seven 100-yard games. Irvin was named to the [[1991 Pro Bowl]], the first of five consecutive seasons in which he was selected to [[Pro Bowl]]s.

=== 1992 and 1993 seasons ===
[[File:The Triplets (cropped).jpg|thumb|The trio of [[Troy Aikman]], [[Emmitt Smith]], and Irvin nicknamed "The Triplets" won three Super Bowls and is considered one of the greatest in NFL history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2016 |title=Moment 24: The Triplets Enter The Ring Of Honor - CBS Texas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/moment-24/ |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>]]
In 1992 and 1993, Irvin was a key player on the Cowboys' 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, however, Irvin had one of the most productive games in NFL playoff history, with 12 catches for an NFC championship record 192 yards and two [[touchdown]]s.

One of his greatest performances was in [[Super Bowl XXVII]] (1993), where he caught six passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns against the [[Buffalo Bills]]. His two touchdowns were scored in the second quarter and occurred in a span of just 18 seconds, the fastest pair of touchdowns ever scored by one player in Super Bowl history. He also became only the second player ever to score 2 touchdowns in one quarter of a Super Bowl, after Washington Redskins wide receiver [[Ricky Sanders]] in [[Super Bowl XXII]].

=== 1995 season ===
Irvin's best season with the Cowboys was 1995 during which he set franchise records for receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,603) while scoring 10 touchdowns and setting an NFL record with 11 games with over 100 receiving yards. Irvin had seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns against the [[Green Bay Packers]] in the NFC Championship Game, which led the Cowboys to [[Super Bowl XXX]], the team's third Super Bowl win in a span of four seasons. In the Super Bowl against the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], he had five receptions for 76 yards.

Irvin is the only player to play for each of the first four Cowboys coaches since the team has been owned by [[Jerry Jones]] (Landry, Johnson, [[Barry Switzer]], and [[Chan Gailey]]). Irvin officially announced his retirement after [[Dave Campo]] became the fifth Cowboys coach, but never played on the field for Campo.

=== 1997 and 1998 seasons ===
After recovering from his collar bone injury, Irvin returned to have solid years in [[1997 Dallas Cowboys season|1997]] and [[1998 Dallas Cowboys season|1998]].

=== 1999 season ===
On October 10, 1999, during the fifth game of the [[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|1999 season]], Irvin was tackled by [[Philadelphia Eagles]] defensive back [[Tim Hauck]] and was driven head-first into the turf at [[Veterans Stadium]] in [[Philadelphia]]. He sustained a non-life-threatening [[cervical spine injury]], but was carted off the field and transported to the [[Thomas Jefferson University Hospital]] in Philadelphia. Irvin did not play again that season. Doctors subsequently discovered Irvin had been born with [[cervical spinal stenosis]], and told him that this condition put him at higher risk for injury, including paralysis, if he suffered another blow to the neck or head. After being advised to stop playing football, Irvin announced his retirement in May 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/irvin-makes-retirement-official/|title=Irvin Makes Retirement Official|website=[[CBS News]] |date=July 10, 2000 }}</ref><ref name="u159">{{cite web | title=Report Says Irvin to Retire Because of Spinal Condition | website=Los Angeles Times | date=May 24, 2000 | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-24-sp-33583-story.html | access-date=December 25, 2024}}</ref>

Irvin was the last [[Tom Landry]]-coached player to retire from the [[National Football League|NFL]]. Landry died on February 12, 2000, several months after Irvin's injury in Philadelphia but before Irvin had announced that he was retiring due to the severity of that injury.

==Records and honors==
[[File:Michael Irvin's number.png|thumb|upright=1.2|Irvin's [[Dallas Cowboys]] number 88 displayed outside at the team's facilities]]

===University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame===
In 2000, Irvin was inducted into the [[University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame]].

===NFL records===
Irvin finished his career with 750 receptions (tied with [[Charlie Joiner]] for 30th all-time in the NFL) for 11,904 yards (21st all-time in the NFL) and 65 touchdowns. His 47 100-yard receiving games is eighth-most in NFL history, tied with [[Torry Holt]]. Irvin was selected to five Pro Bowls (two more than any other wide receiver in franchise history) and was named the MVP of the 1992 Pro Bowl (following the 1991 season) after catching eight passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in the NFC's 21–15 triumph. Irvin was a key playmaker for the Dallas Cowboys that won 6 division titles and three Super Bowls.

As part of Dallas' starting lineup on offense, Irvin was a consistent force to be reckoned with in the regular season but also excelled in the playoffs, where his six career 100-yard receiving games are just two shy of the [[National Football League|NFL]] record held by [[Jerry Rice]], who had eight such games. Irvin's 87 postseason receptions place him second in NFL playoff history behind Rice, who had 151, and Irvin's 1,315 post-season receiving yards ranks second to Rice, who recorded 2,245 post-season yards.

From 1991 through 1998, Irvin recorded 1,000-yard seasons in all but one year, racking up an impressive 10,292 yards over an eight-year span. Along the way, the Cowboys made four straight appearances in the [[National Football Conference Championship Game|NFC Championship Game]] (1992–1995) and captured three [[Super Bowl]] championships with back-to-back wins over the [[Buffalo Bills]] in [[Super Bowl XXVII]] and [[Super Bowl XXVIII]], and the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] in [[Super Bowl XXX]].

===Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor===
Along with his former teammates [[Troy Aikman]] and [[Emmitt Smith]], Irvin was inducted into the [[Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor]] on September 19, 2005.

===Texas Sports Hall of Fame===
Irvin was one of three former NFL players with Cowboys ties selected for induction into the 2007 class of the [[Texas Sports Hall of Fame]], all of whom were inducted at a February 2008 ceremony in [[Waco, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=4978D722-9805-2D62-E0452B2C41A4C0EA |title=Cowboys' Pressure Sacks Seahawks |publisher=Dallascowboys.com |date=November 27, 2008 |access-date=November 28, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080306233435/http://dallascowboys.com/news.cfm?id=4978D722-9805-2D62-E0452B2C41A4C0EA |archive-date=March 6, 2008 }}</ref> The other two were [[Jim Ray Smith]] of the [[Cleveland Browns]], who finished his career with the Cowboys (1963–64), and [[Ray Childress]], a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end for the Houston Oilers who wrapped up his NFL career with the Cowboys in 1996.

===Florida All-Century Team===
In 2007, Irvin was named to the [[Florida High School Athletic Association]]'s All-Century Team that listed the Top 33 football players in the state of Florida's 100-year history of high school football.

===Pro Football Hall of Fame===
Irvin became eligible for induction to the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]] in 2005. He was selected in his third year of eligibility, on February 3, 2007, alongside [[Gene Hickerson]], [[Bruce Matthews]], [[Thurman Thomas]], [[Charlie Sanders]], and [[Roger Wehrli]]. He was formally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the Hall of Fame's August 4, 2007, induction ceremony in [[Canton, Ohio]]. Irvin delivered a tearful acceptance speech in which he referenced both his life as a football player and the many mistakes he has made in his life. His speech has been praised by many NFL commentators as heartfelt, including those who had been inclined to dislike him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/halloffame07/news/story?id=2961687 |title=Michael Irvin: 2007 Hall of Fame enshrinement speech |work=[[ESPN]] |date=August 5, 2007 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref>

On October 14, 2007, Irvin accepted his Hall of Fame ring at [[Texas Stadium]] during halftime of the Cowboys–[[New England Patriots]] game. In his speech, he proposed to Commissioner [[Roger Goodell]] that all drafted rookies will have a tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to better understand their football history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d808d2ffe |title=Irvin's HOF project |work=NFL.com |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref>

==Legacy==
At 6'2" and 207 pounds, Irvin was a big, physical receiver who manhandled cornerbacks and often was able to make tough catches in defensive traffic. In part because of Irvin's 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.{{cn|date=September 2025}}

Irvin was a vocal, emotional leader who set every significant career receiving mark in Cowboys history, including catches and receiving yards. At the time of his retirement, he owned or was tied for 20 team receiving records. In November 2008, his Cowboys teammate [[Daryl Johnston]] said, "Michael was the hardest working guy on our team. He was a guy who made some wrong decisions, but he never took anything public, and he never spoke out against anyone on our team. He wasn't a problem. He was more of an inspiration."

Irvin has high regard for players from "The U", as he likes to call the [[University of Miami]], including [[Frank Gore]], [[Edgerrin James]], and others.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horn |first=Barry |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/bhorn/stories/111205dnspohorncol.11b91849.html |title=Comment on Eagles another sign Irvin is go-to guy in a new field |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] website |date=November 11, 2005 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref>

==NFL career statistics==
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"
|-
! colspan="2"| Legend
|-
| style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|
| Won the [[Super Bowl]]
|-
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league
|-
| '''Bold'''
| Career high
|}

=== Regular season ===
{| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan="14" style="background: #0D254C; border: 2px solid #C5CED6; color: #FFFFFF;"| NFL career statistics
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team
! colspan="2"| Games
! colspan="5"| Receiving
! colspan="5"| Rushing
|-
! GP !! GS !! Rec !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD !! Att !! Yds !! Avg !! Lng !! TD
|-
! [[1988 NFL season|1988]] || [[1988 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 14 || 10 || 32 || 654|| 20.4 || 61 || 5 || 1 || 2 || 2.0 || 2 || 0
|-
! [[1989 NFL season|1989]] || [[1989 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 6 || 6 || 26 || 378 || 14.5 || 65 || 2 || 1 || '''6''' || '''6.0''' || 6 || 0
|-
! [[1990 NFL season|1990]] || [[1990 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 12 || 7 || 20 || 413 || '''20.7''' || 61 || 5 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1991 NFL season|1991]] || [[1991 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 93 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"| 1,523 || 16.4 || 66 || 8 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1992 NFL season|1992]] || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|[[1992 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 14 || 78 || 1,396 || 17.9 || '''87''' || 7 || 1 || -9 || -9.0 || -9 || 0
|-
! [[1993 NFL season|1993]] || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|[[1993 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 88 || 1,330 || 15.1 || 61 || 7 || '''2''' || '''6''' || 3.0 || '''9''' || 0
|-
! [[1994 NFL season|1994]] || [[1994 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 79 || 1,241 || 15.7 || 65 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1995 NFL season|1995]] || style="background:#afe6ba; width:3em;"|[[1995 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || '''111''' || '''1,603''' || 14.4 || 50 || '''10''' || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1996 NFL season|1996]] || [[1996 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 11 || 11 || 64 || 962 || 15.0 || 61 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1997 NFL season|1997]] || [[1997 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 16 || 75 || 1,180 || 15.7 || 55 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! [[1998 NFL season|1998]] || [[1998 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 16 || 15 || 74 || 1,057 || 14.3 || 51 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1.0 || 1 || 0
|-
! [[1999 NFL season|1999]] || [[1999 Dallas Cowboys season|DAL]]
| 4 || 4 || 10 || 167 || 16.7 || 37 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0
|-
! colspan="2"|[http://www.nfl.com/player/michaelirvin/2501302/careerstats Career] !! 159 !! 147 !! 750 !! 11,904 !! 15.9 !! 87 !! 65 !! 6 !! 6 !! 1.0 !! 9 !! 0
|}

==Personal life==
[[File:Michael Irvin 2013.JPG|thumb|right|175px|Irvin in 2013]]

Irvin has been married to Sandy Harrell since 1990. They have a daughter and two sons together. Irvin also has another daughter from a previous relationship.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rasmussen |first=Karl |title=Michael Irvin's Wife Has Been By His Side Over 30 Years |date=January 5, 2022 |url=https://fanbuzz.com/nfl/michael-irvin-wife/ |access-date=October 7, 2023}}</ref>

Irvin is a [[Christianity|Christian]]. He has said, "I turned my life over to Christ in early 2001 with help from Pastor [[T. D. Jakes]] and my friend and fellow believer, [[Deion Sanders]]. It took me forty years to really realize the hand that God had on me. I did almost every bad thing you could do, but it's through the power of God I can live this life."<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Jason |title=Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin says he gave his life to Christ in 2001 |url=https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/football/2018/05/02/hall-of-famer-michael-irvin-says-he-gave-his-life-to-christ-in-2001/ |website=Sports Spectrum |date=May 2, 2018 |access-date=October 7, 2023}}</ref>

==Allegations== 

===Sexual assault allegation against Irvin===
In 1996, as the Cowboys prepared to play the [[Carolina Panthers]] in the NFC Divisional Playoff game, media reports stated that Irvin and his teammate [[Erik Williams]], while under the influence of cocaine, had sexually assaulted Dallas cheerleader Nina Shahravan and videotaped the interaction while pointing a gun at her head.

Despite Williams' and Irvin's denials of the allegations, the story largely overshadowed the game, which the Cowboys lost. The accuser was later proven to have fabricated the entire incident. She recanted her story, pled guilty to perjury and filing a false police report, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and a fine.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/13/sports/a-woman-s-false-accusation-prompts-reflection.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=A Woman's False Accusation Prompts Reflection|author=Sam Howe Verhovek|date=January 13, 1997 |access-date=November 19, 2014}}</ref> In the game against Carolina, Irvin was injured in the opening minutes and did not return.

===1998 scissor attack===
On July 29, 1998, Irvin assaulted fellow Cowboys offensive lineman [[Everett McIver]]. The initial dispute stemmed from Irvin demanding that McIver vacate a barber's chair so that Irvin would not have to wait for a haircut. McIver and Irvin soon began a brawl in the shop with fellow Cowboy [[Leon Lett]] attempting to break it up.

During the course of the dispute, Irvin grabbed a pair of scissors and stabbed McIver in the neck, barely missing his [[Common carotid artery|carotid artery]]. Cowboys owner [[Jerry Jones]] reportedly brokered a six-figure settlement between Irvin and McIver in exchange for McIver's silence and to prevent McIver from pursuing criminal charges against Irvin.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/10/sports/nfl-roundup-dallas-mciver-was-paid-for-silence-paper-says.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|title=N.F.L.: ROUNDUP -- DALLAS; McIver Was Paid For Silence, Paper Says|author=The Associated Press|date=August 10, 1998|access-date=June 8, 2017}}</ref>

===Arrests===
In June 2001, a year following his NFL retirement, Irvin was arrested for felony cocaine possession.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://static.espn.go.com/nfl/news/2001/0618/1215598.html |title=Irvin arrested on charge of cocaine possession |work=Espn.go.com |date=June 18, 2001 |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> Irvin was in a [[Dallas]] apartment with an unrelated woman, and neither answered the door when police drug task force agents arrived with a search warrant. Police then entered the apartment forcibly, finding drugs. Irvin and the woman were placed under arrest, though charges against Irvin were later dropped.

On November 25, 2005, Irvin was pulled over in [[Plano, Texas]], for speeding. Irvin was arrested on an outstanding warrant for an unpaid speeding ticket in [[Irving, Texas]], and was also cited for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his car and found a pipe and plastic bags with marijuana residue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2238758 |title=Irvin: pipe belonged to friend, not brother |work=[[ESPN]] |date=November 19, 2005 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref> Irvin was arrested for a Class C misdemeanor, and was later released on bond.

On December 1, 2005, in response to his arrest, [[ESPN]] suspended Irvin for the Sunday and Monday night ''Countdown'' shows on December 4 and 5, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2243998 |title=Irvin won't appear on ESPN shows this weekend |work=[[ESPN]] |date=December 1, 2005 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref> He returned to both shows with no mention or consequence of the past incident.

===2007 sexual assault allegation===
On July 4, 2007, Irvin was accused of [[sexual assault]] while he was at the [[Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood|Seminole Hard Rock Casino]] in [[Hollywood, Florida]]. Charges were never filed, but a civil suit was filed against him in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/02/24/1498211_broward-prosecutors-decline-to.html |title=Broward prosecutors decline to charge Irvin in rape investigation |work=Miami Herald |date=February 24, 2010 |access-date=February 24, 2010}}</ref> Irvin filed a $100{{nbsp}}million defamation countersuit, which was dropped when the case was settled out of court in January 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Report: Michael Irvin suit settled| date=January 28, 2011 |url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/nfl/news/story?id=6069382|publisher=ESPNDallas.com|access-date=November 1, 2013}}</ref>

===Victim of alleged 2009 carjacking attempt===
On January 12, 2009, Irvin claimed he was a victim of a possible carjacking attempt while stopped at a light in Dallas. He filed a police report claiming that two men flashed a gun at him but eventually drove away after commenting that they were Cowboys fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/sports/football/Michael-Irvin-Would-Be-Carjackers-Recognized-Me.html|title=Michael Irvin: Would-Be Carjackers Recognized Me|website=NBC-DFW|date=January 12, 2009}}</ref> Dallas police suspended their investigation two weeks later, stating that Irvin did not cooperate in the investigation and that they could not proceed without his cooperation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090201072122/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/01/29/irvin.threatened.ap/index.html Police Halt Investigation on Irvin Case] SI.com, January 29, 2009</ref>

===2017 sexual assault investigation===
On March 22, 2017, [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]] police investigated Irvin for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in [[Florida]]. Irvin denied the allegations.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grautski|first=Amara|title=Michael Irvin says surveillance footage will prove his innocence in sexual assault investigation: 'Nothing happened'|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/michael-irvin-video-prove-innocence-happened-article-1.3019274|access-date=April 5, 2017|work=The New York Daily News|date=April 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Trischitta|first=Linda|title=In TV interview, Michael Irvin denies rape allegation, says he's a longtime, platonic friend of accuser|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-sb-lauderdale-michael-irvin-tv-rape-denial-20170405-story.html|work=The Sun-Sentinel|date=April 5, 2017}}</ref> On July 24, the [[Broward County, Florida|Broward County]] State Attorney's Office announced they had closed the investigation and would not charge Irvin in the case.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/state-attorney-sex-assault-charges-michael-irvin-48819478|title=State attorney: No sex assault charges for Michael Irvin|agency=Associated Press|last=Spencer|first=Terry|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=July 24, 2017|access-date = August 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2017/07/24/michael-irvin-charged-sexual-assault-florida-case-lack-evidence|title=Michael Irvin won't be charged with sexual assault in Florida case|work=Dallas Morning News|last=George|first=Brandon|date=July 24, 2017|access-date=August 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2017/07/24/michael-irvin-charged-sexual-assault-florida-case-lack-evidence|title=Michael Irvin won't be charged with sexual assault in Florida case|date=July 24, 2017}}</ref>

===Super Bowl LVII alleged misconduct===
NFL Network removed Irvin from its coverage of [[Super Bowl LVII]] in February 2023 after allegations of sexual misconduct toward a woman at his hotel in the Phoenix area. Though surveillance video showed him interacting with the woman, Irvin told a Dallas-Fort Worth radio station that he had no recollection of any incident because he had been intoxicated. He also denied there was any wrongdoing.<ref>{{cite web|title=Irvin pulled from NFL Network's Super Bowl coverage|url=https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-sports-michael-irvin-dallas-8bb3a7d3bc456a0fac3226306d00a5a4|website=AP News|publisher=[[Associated Press]]|date=February 7, 2023}}</ref>

===Statements===
In a November 2006 radio interview on [[Dan Patrick (sportscaster)|Dan Patrick]]'s radio show, Irvin joked that Dallas Cowboys quarterback [[Tony Romo]]'s athletic ability may have been due to African-American heritage and jokingly remarked that Romo's maternal relatives might have been involved with "slave brothers".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/2006/11/michael-irvins-tony-romo-comments.html |title=Michael Irvin's Tony Romo Comments, Revisited |work=Mondesishouse.blogspot.com |date=November 22, 2006 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref> Irvin later apologized and said, "this is how I joke around with Romo when we're playing basketball. There's a difference from me the player and me the broadcaster".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2677581 |title=Irvin on comments: 'Inappropriate and insensitive'|work=[[ESPN]] |date=November 28, 2006 |access-date=November 28, 2008}}</ref>

On February 17, 2007, during the late edition of ''[[SportsCenter]]'', [[ESPN]] announced that Irvin was no longer with the network. ESPN Communications Vice President Josh Krulewitz said, "We thank Michael for his contributions to ESPN and wish him well." However, eleven months later, in January 2008, Irvin rejoined ESPN as a host on [[ESPN Radio]] [[Owned-and-operated station|owned and operation]] station [[KVDT|KESN]] (103.3 FM) in Dallas, hosting ''The Michael Irvin Show''. This locally aired program ended on February 5, 2010, and Irvin was let go after his contract expired.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Robert |last=Wilonksy |work=Unfair Park |publisher=[[Dallas Observer]] |title=Michael Irvin Out at ESPN's Dallas Radio Station. His Replacements: Ben and Skin. |url=http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/02/michael_irvin_out_at_espns_dal.php |date=February 5, 2010}}</ref> An ESPN spokesman cited declining ratings and that news of a lawsuit filed against Irvin for a 2007 incident "simply expedited the situation".<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |first=Barry |last=Horn |title=Michael Irvin out ESPN 103.3; Ben & Skin are in |url=http://sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/michael-irvin-out-espn-1033-be.html |date=February 5, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208144717/http://sportsmediablog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/michael-irvin-out-espn-1033-be.html |archive-date=February 8, 2010 }}</ref>

On a February 2017 episode of ''[[The Rich Eisen Show]]'', Irvin admitted to having snuck out of the locker room during halftime of [[Super Bowl XXVII]] to watch [[Michael Jackson]] perform.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 1, 2017 |title=Irvin left locker room at Super Bowl to watch MJ |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/irvin-left-locker-room-at-super-bowl-to-watch-mj-0ap3000000781751 |access-date=February 2, 2017 |work=NFL.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Entertainment career==
[[File:NFL Network Set for NFL Draft 2010.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Irvin (right) with the [[NFL Network]] in 2010]]
Irvin was a co-star in the 2005 remake of ''[[The Longest Yard (2005 film)|The Longest Yard]]'', starring [[Adam Sandler]] and [[Chris Rock]]. Irvin also guest starred in Sandler's film ''[[Jack and Jill (2011 film)|Jack & Jill]]'', which was released on November 11, 2011. He was one of the "Pros" on an episode of ''[[Pros vs. Joes]]'', which pitted former [[professional athletes]] against average people. He was the host of ''4th and Long'', a football-themed reality series which aired on [[Spike TV]]. The winner, [[Jesse Holley]], earned a spot at the Dallas Cowboys' training camp.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dehnart|first=Andy|author-link=Andy Dehnart|title=Michael Irvin-hosted Reality Competition Winner Will Join Dallas Cowboys Training Camp|url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/future_shows/2009_Jan_22_spike_irvin_cowboys|access-date=April 5, 2017|work=reality blurred|date=January 22, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=''4th and Long'' Official Show Webpage|url=http://www.spike.com/show/31809|website=[[Spike TV|Spike]]|access-date=April 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110223191211/http://www.spike.com/show/31809|archive-date=February 23, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Irvin had a supporting role in the 2017 basketball drama ''[[Slamma Jamma]]'' as a sleazy sports agent.

In 2011, Irvin spoke to ''[[Out (magazine)|Out]]'' magazine about his homosexual older brother, who died of stomach cancer in 2006. He claimed his initial feelings of [[homophobia]] in relation to his brother led to womanizing during his playing days but eventual acceptance and feelings of love toward his older brother initiated his understanding for people with difficulty sharing their circumstances.<ref name=Out/>

In August 2011, officials from the [[Elite Football League of India]] announced that Irvin would be among the primary investors and advisers for the league. Other prominent backers included former [[Chicago Bears]] head coach [[Mike Ditka]], former [[Philadelphia Eagles]] quarterback [[Ron Jaworski]], and NFL [[linebacker]] [[Brandon Chillar]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/sns-ap-fbo-football-in-india,0,1978030.story | work=Chicago Tribune | title=Topic Galleries }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=American football coming to India?|url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/08/06/1661045.html|access-date= April 5, 2017|work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=August 6, 2011}}</ref>

In July 2023, management from Asset Entities announced that Irvin would be among the primary investors and advisers for the company. Other prominent backers included TRITON FUNDS.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/23/07/g33130678/michael-the-playmaker-irvin-joins-the-asset-entities-team-as-a-key-player-in-expansion-of-ae360ddm |access-date=July 6, 2023 |work=Benzinga | title=Topic Galleries }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=TRITON FUNDS agrees to Invest $1m |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/triton-funds-agrees-invest-1-120000533.html |access-date=July 5, 2023 |work=[[Dawn (newspaper)|Dawn]]|date=July 6, 2023}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.profootballhof.com/players/michael-irvin/ Michael Irvin] at [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]
* [http://www.umsportshalloffame.com/michael-irvin.html Michael Irvin] at [[University of Miami]] Hall of Fame 
* {{Footballstats |nfl=Michael-Irvin
|cfl= |afl= |espn=23 |cbs= |yahoo= |fox= |si=232 |pfr=I/IrviMi00 |rotoworld=}}
* {{IMDb name|1664542|Michael Irvin}}

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[[Category:1966 births]]
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