Bryan Curtis has a profile of former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin up on The Ringer today. Like Curtis’ piece on Dale Hansen for Grantland a couple of years ago, it is thoroughly reported and well written, and you should read the whole thing. Mostly it exists because the Cowboys are successful (again) and popular (still) and Irvin is the “team’s ambassador to the world,” as Curtis puts it. Here is a bite to whet your appetite.
Irvin said: “People tell me, ‘Michael, why don’t they retire your jersey?’ Why would I want my jersey retired? When they retire it, the only time they talk about it is when I leave time and go to eternity and they take the camera off the field and say, ‘Hey, we lost Michael Irvin today. Back to the game.’
“Why should I wait for my death for my flowers? With Dez Bryant wearing [88], every Sunday when he makes a play, they say, ‘Boy, that reminds you of Michael Irvin!’ If he a drops a ball, they say, ‘Michael Irvin wouldn’t have dropped that!’”
Irvin smiled again. “I get to enjoy my flowers every Sunday,” he said, “while I’m alive.” Then he shook my hand.
