[marden]

Ex-Cowboy Michael Irvin Arrested in Texas

Staff and agencies
27 November, 2005

18 minutes ago

PLANO, Texas - Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his vehicle during a traffic stop, police said Sunday.

Irvin paid a fine on the speeding ticket and posted bond on the drug paraphernalia possession charge. He was released about an hour after he was pulled over.

An ESPN spokesman had no immediate comment.

Irvin holds Cowboys records for catches (750), receiving yards (11,904) and 100-yard games (47), including a team-record seven in a row in 1991.

espn.go.com/nfl/news/2001/0618/1215598.html

I enjoy Irvin's commentary on ESPN. I can understand why he was an important "ingredient" in the Cowboys' successful teams, he is outspoken, brash and intelligent. He talked the talk, but also walked the walk. His stats speak for themselves.

But what does this do to his ESPN career? Should they drop him? Have you lost respect for him?

Now that he's no longer an NFL player (and no longer has the job/burden of 'role model' to bear) should he be judged by that standard? Or should he be judged by a different set of expectations?

Is there a precedent where a sports analyst, commentator or broadcaster has been arrested for drugs and made it back to their previous level of celebrity?

The only case I can recall (though it wasn't drug related) was Marv Albert's sexcapade and Rush Limbaugh's oxycontin, (which obviously was drug related) though he'd been discredited as a MNF guy by then and his celebrity was other than sports built. Both have resumed their careers and even though they have probably suffered from those career 'land mines,' they have resumed their careers.

However, keep in mind that both are white. Neither were former pro athletes. Neither had a previous arrest record (that I'm aware of). And both of them were at higher pinnacles in their broadcast careers when their hiccups occurred.

The ESPN official response so far seems to be to just treat it as a news story. No other real comments yet.

What do you think?

[rickey939]

Hmmm, yet another former Dallas Cowboy involved with drugs. Sad, yet not surprised.

[euchomai]

I thought he already had some cocaine possession stuff back in the day. Something about hookers and coke? I could google it, but its much more fun to have people correct me here.

[marden]

Originally Posted by euchomai

I thought he already had some cocaine possession stuff back in the day. Something about hookers and coke? I could google it, but its much more fun to have people correct me here.

However, keep in mind that both are white. Neither were former pro athletes. Neither had a previous arrest record (that I'm aware of). And both of them were at higher pinnacles in their broadcast careers when their hiccups occurred.

Yes. You are correct. The text in bold is an allusion to imply a contrast of states of being between the two subjects (Marv/Rush & Irvin).

Irvin is a black former athlete. The other two aren't. And whereas Albert and Limbaugh didn't have previous arrest records (to my knowledge), Irvin does.

Traffic arrest. Coke and girls. Maybe others.

[marden]

Originally Posted by rickey939

Hmmm, yet another former Dallas Cowboy involved with drugs. Sad, yet not surprised.

Why aren't you surprised?

[TailsToo]

LOL! I love it...

[marden]

Originally Posted by TailsToo

LOL! I love it...

Why?