Okay, I'll admit it...

[patsox23]

I like Michael Irvin. Sure, he said some pretty crazy sheeyat sometimes, and occasionally defended players to an absurd degree, his friendships clearly shining through, but even regardless of his performances this weekend - booth-work today during the radio-cast of the game and, of course, his incredible speech Saturday night - I've always thought he added an element that, warts and all, I felt added something of value.

Lump that in with what I always saw as a joy of the game, and a sincerity of spirit - again, warts and all - and with his extremely moving and, perhaps more noteworthy, articulate acceptance speech, and I can't help but give the guy some credit. I hope he lands on his feet somewhere. His is a voice I'd like to hear more consistently, even though it will sometimes probably make me roll my eyes and regret this post.

I'm ducking now, as I submit the thread. Take your best shot(s).

 

[notex]

never had a problem with him..:rocker:

 

[DisgruntledTunaFan]

Love him or hate him-the 72K+ Eagles fans that CHEERED his career ending injury back in '99 at the Vet was probably the most classless and disgusting event ever witnessed.

Here in Dallas-despite all his off the field problems, he really was a locker room presence-knew how to light fire under everyone's tails.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Love him or hate him-the 72K+ Eagles fans that CHEERED his career ending injury back in '99 at the Vet was probably the most classless and disgusting event ever witnessed.

Here in Dallas-despite all his off the field problems, he really was a locker room presence-knew how to light fire under everyone's tails.

By shouting at them incoherently?

All kidding aside, this side of "the playmaker" was nice to watch. uncharacteristic humility is still humility... in fact, it almost makes you think it's more likely genuine coming from a usually shouting egomaniac.

PFnV

 

[PatsWSB47]

I like Michael Irvin. Sure, he said some pretty crazy sheeyat sometimes, and occasionally defended players to an absurd degree, his friendships clearly shining through, but even regardless of his performances this weekend - booth-work today during the radio-cast of the game and, of course, his incredible speech Saturday night - I've always thought he added an element that, warts and all, I felt added something of value.

Lump that in with what I always saw as a joy of the game, and a sincerity of spirit - again, warts and all - and with his extremely moving and, perhaps more noteworthy, articulate acceptance speech, and I can't help but give the guy some credit. I hope he lands on his feet somewhere. His is a voice I'd like to hear more consistently, even though it will sometimes probably make me roll my eyes and regret this post.

I'm ducking now, as I submit the thread. Take your best shot(s).

No need to duck. I thought he adressed his transgressions and gave a very heart felt and moving speech. I did not expect that at all

 

[patsox23]

surprised, but glad to hear this reaction.

 

[patfanken]

I never liked Michael Irvin. I can't believe he got into the HOF before Art Monk. I think he took advantage of the fact that in his day refs NEVER, or rarely called offensive interference, and he got a lot of his stats because of that reality. I truly HATED him on ESPN. He was obnoxious, rarely insightful, and constantly flat out wrong. That's a trifecta that is hard to overcome.

That being said, I agree I thought his speech was excellent, but one speech doesn't wipe out years of transgressions off the field, and a couple of years as a bad analyst. It helped, but..../

I hope he finds happiness and becomes productive in his football retirement, however I DON'T ever want to hear him on the TV or radio.

 

[patsox23]

I think it's a pretty big stretch to say that Michael Irvin only produced "a lot of his stats" because the refs weren't calling PI against him. Goodness.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

i grew up in Philly and so generally don't like anything or anyone associated with the Cowboys, but I have found Irvin to be a lot more interesting (and knowledgeable) to listen to than a lot of the "talking heads" commenting on NFL games...as for his play, yeah, he deserves to be in Canton...as for his offfield problems, I think he's paid the price and, from his remarks at his induction, has learned from his experience...as the Aussies would say "Good on ya, mate."

 

[Krugman]

I have to admit that speech was inspiring.....I'm glad he made it into the HOF.

 

[fair catch fryar]

I like Michael Irvin. Sure, he said some pretty crazy sheeyat sometimes, and occasionally defended players to an absurd degree, his friendships clearly shining through, but even regardless of his performances this weekend - booth-work today during the radio-cast of the game and, of course, his incredible speech Saturday night - I've always thought he added an element that, warts and all, I felt added something of value.

Lump that in with what I always saw as a joy of the game, and a sincerity of spirit - again, warts and all - and with his extremely moving and, perhaps more noteworthy, articulate acceptance speech, and I can't help but give the guy some credit. I hope he lands on his feet somewhere. His is a voice I'd like to hear more consistently, even though it will sometimes probably make me roll my eyes and regret this post.

I'm ducking now, as I submit the thread. Take your best shot(s).

Never had a problem with him as a player, he was quite fun to watch. I just can't stomach him as a talking head. I have to turn the volume down when he starts flapping his gums!

 

[Keegs]

I like this thread. Nice job.

But i'm 100% positive that if I created it, it would have been deleted immediately and i would have been told to "knock off the crap". Too funny.

I think Irvin is ok too by the way. There was a thing on PFT about how maybe ESPN encouraged him to act overly-obnoxious and crazy and he kinda took it too far.

I enjoyed his speech

 

[captain stone]

Love him or hate him-the 72K+ Eagles fans that CHEERED his career ending injury back in '99 at the Vet was probably the most classless and disgusting event ever witnessed...

For all the disgraceful, embarrassing moments he gave the league, if I were in Philly when he went down, I would have cheered, too.

A-hole egomaniacal ebonic-spewing scumbags like Irvin are what's wrong with pro sports today.

 

[patfanken]

I think it's a pretty big stretch to say that Michael Irvin only produced "a lot of his stats" because the refs weren't calling PI against him. Goodness.

Hey, everyone is entitled to a little "hyperbole", PS, which is ironic since hyperbole was the hallmark of Irvin's broadcast career. I know he was a very good receiver, but sometimes I wonder if he wasn't the product of the perfect storm they constructed in Dallas back then. He had a HOF QB, RB, and a probowl OL and TE to work with, not to mention an excellent defense.

He probably is actually worthy of a HOF selection...eventually. However I think his quick selection in his second year of elegibility was more a matter of his noteriety and his on air visibility than his credentials, especially when you think that Art Monk ISN'T in the hall yet. JMHO.

 

[patsox23]

A-hole egomaniacal ebonic-spewing scumbags like Irvin are what's wrong with pro sports today.

Easy, big fella. Your sheet might fall off.

 

[rabthepat]

I never liked Michael Irvin. I can't believe he got into the HOF before Art Monk. I think he took advantage of the fact that in his day refs NEVER, or rarely called offensive interference, and he got a lot of his stats because of that reality. I truly HATED him on ESPN. He was obnoxious, rarely insightful, and constantly flat out wrong. That's a trifecta that is hard to overcome.

That being said, I agree I thought his speech was excellent, but one speech doesn't wipe out years of transgressions off the field, and a couple of years as a bad analyst. It helped, but..../

I hope he finds happiness and becomes productive in his football retirement, however I DON'T ever want to hear him on the TV or radio.

Ditto, well said.