One more big play from the “Playmaker”
In two short words we can simply say…” It Happens! “
Michael Irvin, former great wide receiver of the Dallas Cowboys was introduced as one of six Hall of Fame Inductees for the class of 2007. If you are not familiar with Michael Irvin, all you need to know is that he is simply, “The Playmaker”.
Irvin’s accomplishment intrigues me because the 40 panelist from the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame did not find Irvin worthy of induction in each of the last two years. Without definitive explanation, America and Dallas Cowboys fans everywhere were left to determine on their own why this seemingly unanimous choice was being held out of the Hall of Fame. The former Dallas Cowboys receiver with the off-field woes and three Super Bowl rings, was among six former players voted into the
Canton shrine Saturday. But the commissioner who guided the NFL for 18 years before retiring last summer didn’t even make the first cut.
“This was worth the wait,” Irvin said. “I know my alphabet. When I heard ‘H’ I was like, ‘OK, I (is) next.’ So, whew! I was so afraid we were going to skip over the I’s.”
Irvin didn’t mention his troubled past, pleading no contest in 1996 to felony cocaine possession; getting arrested in 2000 on drug possession charges that were later dropped. Uncharacteristically, former teammate Troy Aikman did have something to say.
“I think that maybe some of that is why he hasn’t gotten in until now,” said Aikman, who was inducted last year. “And I know that’s not part of the criteria, and I think all of the voters would tell you that’s not part of the criteria. But we are all human and I think you maybe take what you think of a person as an individual and have that cloud what you think of his athletic abilities. That happens.”
It is in the unsolicited opinion of this author that The Playmaker was simply too liberal with his lifestyle for the well documented conservative panel who votes on potential inductees. Without airing any ones dirty laundry, allow me to say that Michael Irvin is not the first Hall of Famer to be arrested during or after his playing days, and you better believe he won’t be the last. The human in us all, sometimes clouds ones judgment when there is pressure to be completely objective, especially where it involves someone we don’t like. Many know that Michael was/is a love him or hate him athlete who is never at a lost for showmanship. There are
HOF panelists who have attempted to compare Michael Irvin’s flamboyant style to that of Terrell Owens. While there are similarities on the surface, Michael’s coaches and teammates at every level will attest that unlike Mr. Owens, Irvin is a teammate you wanted around and couldn’t get enough of. Just ask Michael’s former coach, Jimmy Johnson,
“I never coached a player who had as much passion for the game as Michael Irvin. He set a standard for work ethic that inspired every player and coach on the team. You judge individuals in sports based upon how much work they do - and how committed they are to getting better - when no one is watching them. Michael was like no other in that regard. He taught our young players how to be professional football players and how to compete. And he would not allow the veteran players to be comfortable simply because they had enjoyed some success.
“He also was the guy who I knew at crunch time I could depend on to come through with a key play. He never shied away from making the tough catch.”
The concern over statistics were waged when it was questioned that Michael Irvin completed his career with only 750 catches and just over 11,000 receiving yards. Again, what clown would ever think that 750 catches is mediocre. Although there are 13 other men who have eclipsed this mark, only one ( Jerry Rice ) can lay definitive claims of being better at this craft. The all decade team of the 90’s has Jerry Rice on one side and Michael Irvin on the other. Even with breaking the 1000 catch barrier, anyone with insightful football knowledge could make the argument that retired Minnesota Wide Receiver, Chris Carter, and retired Oakland Raider Receiver, Tim Brown, did not have the impact on their teams or the league, as Irvin has. Remember, the NFL didn’t know what a big possession receiver was until Michael Irvin put a certain Star on his helmet. Put the Big Man on record and identify me as………would like to get rid of the current Hall of Fame Panelists—-party of one!!
The NFL HOF needs to get its head out of its ass, wake up and smell the coffee. The new athlete of today comes with an entirely different package. Where Irvin was vilified for his end zone celebrations, these players are rewarded with commercials for them. To believe that Michael Irvin brings negative attention or shame to the moral fiber of the HOF is asinine. Irvin’s induction sends shock waves through urban communities throughout the United States. Michael was born the 15th of 17 kids under one roof.
Known for his willingness to entertain, Irvin’s siblings looked to him for strength when their father passed away while Michael was in High school. For years, Irvin has always said at that moment in his life he knew he had to be great. The rest, as they say, is history.
The playmakers well deserved Bust will rest in Canton amongst the greats who’ve played the game.
And Thats How the Big Man Sees it
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bringit
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6 Responses to “One more big play from the “Playmaker””
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February 6th, 2007 1:23 am
Yeah, Micheal was a great player, I’ll give you that, however with the Charges for drugs(that were dropped) is that still sending our youth a mixed message? I mean I know no one is a “saint” but it just seems like all of the players lately have a shady past whether it be baseball or football, are we simply running out of good wholesome players to induct? How does the Big man see it?
February 6th, 2007 1:39 am
Great point you raise Cory, The Big Man believes that there are many great players who walk the NO FUN Leagues tight rope success model. The problem is, society is so attracted to drama, violence and the ridicule of another to the point where great players like Marvin Harrison catches a headline a month, while clowns like Terrell Ownes, and Tank Johnson dominate the media on a daily basis. Look at the Superbowl, the media hype was centered around 2 things: The two African American coaches, and Tank Johnson’s ability to travel between states, as if we care! Problem is too many us do!! It’s not the mistakes that Michael Irvin made that sends the bad message, it is the insatiable appetite for a story that a violent society would love to sink its teeth into that is perpetuating a negative message throughout our world. Our kids need to believe that we can overcome mistakes. Michael Irvin proves this every time he suits up for NFL Gameday with Chris Berman and Tom Jackson. Our kids see triumph in this, but our media can’t seem to mention him without mentioning his mistakes of the past. Tell me what our kids see in Terrell Owens or Randy Moss? Believe it or not, they see that its seemingly okay to be jerks,people will respond to my grips and Me first will get you all the attention. Hope I didn’t go to deep for ya here! In a nut shell, lets celebrate our classy athletes and refrain from giving hype to the classless ones.
February 6th, 2007 10:14 am
First, I didn’t read the entire article, or all of the posts above (too long winded). However, Michael Irvin, by all means, deserves his Hall of Fame induction. He is undeniably a Great Player. Yes, he had some off the field issues in the past. And I understand the thoughts on his character. But, isn’t it incredibly flawed of us to judge him based solely on his past mistakes? Also, keep in mind those are media magnified mistakes. What about his character now? Has anyone asked Mr. Irvin what he stands for now? How he has changed? Even Michael Irvin understands that his previous behavior had hindered him from his earlier attempts to get inducted, and he humbly understood that as a lesson in life. Let’s just say that induction is based on character of the individual. Even with that, Michael Irvin would still get my vote. It’s not about how badly you fall, but how triumphantly you rise. Having said that, it’s about football. And it’s hard to find another individual as passionate about the game than Michael Irvin. You can even watch him as a commentator/analyst, and see how much perspective he brings, and the fun he has out there. I’m not even a U fan or a Cowboy fan! But, even I cannot deny greatness where greatness is due. This guy is a Hall of Famer, simple as that. He deserves to be there.
February 6th, 2007 8:17 pm
I do agree Big Man! I actually am a baseball fan more than football and see how the whole steroid thing has blown up way out of proportion! No one is perfect, it just seems like the “bad boys” get the hype from the media and that is unfortunately all we get to see!
February 7th, 2007 12:45 pm
Big Man, I knew that w/you being a Dallas Cowboy fan you would touch on this subject. I must say, I like how you stuck to the facts on this one because the facts do show that Michael Irvin was deserving of his Hall of Fame Induction. The numbers just don’t lie. Now, I’m not a Vikings fan, but I think you might have some Minnesota fans disagree w/you about Irvin having a bigger impact on his team & the league than Chris Carter. When you say “Even with breaking the 1000 catch barrier, anyone with insightful football knowledge could make the argument that retired Minnesota Wide Receiver, Chris Carter, and retired Oakland Raider Receiver, Tim Brown, did not have the impact on their teams or the league, as Irvin has.” that argument will probably vary from age group to age group. I’m in my mid twenties, & when I think of the; needed a first down, precise route running, both feet in bounds, clutch wide receivers that I watched back then, of course Jerry Rice is first, but I think of Chris before I think of Michael. Thats not to take anything away from Michael. I’m glad the voters finally “saw the light” & gave Michael what is deservingly his. I just hope they do the same for Art Monk as well. And soon!
February 7th, 2007 4:54 pm
I will be the first to say that I’m not the most well versed or sports educated person like the Big Man but I can definitely give my take as a lay person.
First, for all of those persons crying about the fact that their favorite receiver hasn’t gotten into the Hall or that Michael Irvin shouldn’t have gotten into the Hall before their receiver, let me say this “CRY on Your OWN TIME!!”. This moment is about the career and achievements of one of the U’s most dynamic players. You will never hear me giving accolades to a HURRICANE ever again so enjoy it now. The ‘PLAYMAKER’ is the truth!! Ignore the fact that he’s taken his INFAMOUS South Florida Dirty D. Down Flava to the NFL and let them know how we get down in the Sunshine State!! Who cares?? And for all those idiots who think he got into the Hall of Fame because he was on ESPN, I just have one thing to say “Please stop sniffing that Elmer’s Glue and go to the back of the class”. Michael Irvin was a prolific player and more importantly, in the words of Santana Moss, “A Big Time Player who made BIG TIME PLAYS!!”. Deal with it!
Second, this moment is not about who didn’t make it. We always hear people crying and whining about why this person shouldn’t have gotten in and those who should. Let’s whine about that AFTER the persons have been in ENSHRINED into the Hall of Fame.
Finally, I don’t care what you say, you can’t take it back. The vote is final. Michael is in and (it pains me to say it because I’m a NOLE) is just another BIG TIME U prodigy who showed the world that Florida continues to produces the most prolific talent in the country.
All of this from a modest lay person who knows nothing about sports. I leave the expert opinion to the BIG MAN!