Michael Irvin

Michael Irvin was a three-time Super Bowl champion wide receiver with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2007, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Irvin currently works with the NFL Network.

Irvin started his career as a wide receiver with the University of Miami under then head coach Jimmy Johnson who would later draft Irvin number one in the 1988 draft when he became coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Irvin is known for his flamboyant play and his catches after touchdown. During his career with the Cowboys, Irvin was a Pro Bowler from 1991-1995 http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=246 and amassed almost 12,000 receiving yards and 750 receptions in his career.http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.aspx?player_id=246

During and after his career, Irvin has had his share of off the field troubles. In 1996, Irvin was arrested for cocaine possession at a hotel where he was celebrating his 30th birthday. He was suspended by the NFL for five games of the 96 season. Recently, ESPN reported earlier this year, that Irvin was accused of rape in a civil suit that was filed on February 4, 2010 in Hollywood, Florida.http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/news/story?id=4889392 Criminal charges was not filed against the former Cowboys star, but the incident reportedly occurred in 2007 according to the suit. Irvin was fired from his radio job because of the allegation http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/02/05/1949724/irvin-fired-from-espn-show-in.html

Irvin hosted a reality television show on the Spike TV network in which 12 amateur football players will be competing for a chance to join the Dallas Cowboys training camp in July of 2009.ESPN.com: Hall of Famer Delves into Reality TV

Michael Irvin played his college football for Jimmy Johnson with the Miami Hurricanes and helped them win the 1987 national championship. He was then drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys in 1988, the same year that Johnson became the Cowboys' head coach. He became the first rookie in Cowboy's history to start a game as a receiver. He became an integral part of the new offensive team during the 1980s, along side such memorable players as Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.

Michael Irvin was the first of the"Triplet's" to become a Dallas Cowboy back in the late 1980's. Irvin had a reputation of being a playmaker in college even before he grace the field as a Cowboy. One of his greatest plays ever as a Miami Hurricane was a 73-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steve Walsh (who would become his teammate later) that propelled the Hurricanes not only to win over their hated rival the Florida State Seminoles but it put them in the1987 National Championship game against the Oklahoma Sooners.

You knew then that Irvin was going to be a star, it wasn't a question of if but when it was going to happen. Cowboys fans got their answer on Decemeber 11, 1988 against their hated rivals, the Washington Redskins. Irvin's rookie season wasn't an indiction at the time of things to come for the young team, but in that one game you just knew it was the start of something good.

Against the Redskins, Irivn only had six receptions; but those receptions were for 149 yards and three touchdown catches including a 61 touchdown catch. The "Playmaker" was born and the beginning of a Hall of Fame career had started.

Irvin's nickname is 'The Playmaker', and he lived up to that name by making both spectacular and important pass receptions during both his collegiate and professional careers. Along with Aikman and Smith (known as The Triplets), Irvin helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowl championships in four years.

Irvin also helped to change the game. A big and strong receiver, he would often create space between himself and defenders by pushing off on them. Eventually, the NFL adjusted the rules, making this tactic illegal under offensive pass interference. It is often referred to as "The Michael Irvin Rule".

• 1984: Attends the University of Miami, FL
• 1987: Helps the Hurricanes win the National Championship
• 1988: Drafted 11th overall by Dallas Cowboys in the NFL draft
• 1991: Selected to first of five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances
• 1993: Helps lead Dallas to win in Super Bowl XXVII
• 1994: Helps lead Dallas to win in Super Bowl XXVIII
• 1996: Helps lead Dallas to win in Super Bowl XXX
• 1996: Arrested on charges of of cocaine - he would plead no contest
• 1999: Suffers career-ending neck injury
• 2001: Joins the cast of FOX Sports Cable Network's The Best Damn Sports Show Period
• 2003: Joins ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown
• 2005: Acted in the film The Longest Yard
• 2005: Was arrested for drug possession but charges would later be dropped
• 2007: Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame