Nov 27, 2005 6:46 pm US/Central
Michael Irvin Talks About His Arrest
PLANO (CBS 11 News & AP) ―
Former Dallas Cowboys player Michael Irvin is answering questions about his recent arrest in Plano. It's public record that Irvin has had trouble with the law, but Monday during a radio broadcast Irvin said the only thing he is guilty of is trying to help his friends and younger brother.
Michael Irvin was the "Playmaker" on the field, but off the field he sometimes dropped the ball. His latest fumble was his arrest Friday by Plano Police.
When officers stopped Irvin for speeding on the Dallas Tollway they found he had an outstanding warrant for speeding from the Irving Police Department and arrested him. As police inventoried his vehicle they found drug paraphernalia, which is a health and safety code violation. Plano Police spokesman Mike Johnson said he didn't know what kind of paraphernalia was found.
On ESPN Radio Irving admitted to having the crack pipe in his car, but explained that it belonged to a friend. "Ya know he's struggling. I know he's struggling. I was like I don't want anything in my house around my kids, ya know so I patted him down and I took this pipe off him. And I thought to throw it in the garbage, but then people have gone through my garbage and I shred everything. And I put it in my car saying I'll take it up the street and... take it up the street later and throw it in the dumpster at the grocery store," says Irvin.
Irvin was booked on the two charges. He paid the speeding fine and posted bond for the drug paraphernalia charge and was released within two hours of the traffic stop.
Irvin, who earned three Super Bowl rings with the Cowboys, retired in July 2000 and currently works as a studio analyst for ESPN.
Loyal fans admit they are disappointed but hope the arrest won't kill Irvin's chance at the Professional Football Hall of Fame. Irvin said, "I'm going to try to do everything I can, within reason, to clear my name," but would not consent to a drug test. The drug paraphernalia charge is a Class C misdemeanor and could be resolved by paying a fine.
In 1996, Irvin pleaded no contest to felony cocaine possession in exchange for four years of deferred probation, a $10,000 fine and dismissal of misdemeanor marijuana possession charges.
The National Football League suspended Irvin for five games. He finished his deferred probation on the charge just before he announced his retirement.
Irvin still 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.
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