Adrian Peterson

Peterson playing for the Minnesota Vikings
No. 28     Minnesota Vikings
Running back
Personal information
Date of birth: (1985-03-21) March 21, 1985 (age 27)
Place of birth: Palestine, Texas[1][2][3]
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school: Palestine (TX)
College: Oklahoma
NFL Draft: 2007 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Debuted in 2007 for the Minnesota Vikings
Career history
Minnesota Vikings (2007–present)
Roster status: Injured reserve
Career highlights and awards
Hall Trophy (2003) ESPN RISE High School Football Player of the Decade (2000s)[4] Consensus All-American (2004) College awards and honors AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007) PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year (2007) Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year (2007) 4× Pro Bowl (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) 4× All-Pro (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010) NFC rushing leader (2007) NFL Rushing Title (2008) Pro Bowl MVP (2008) FedEx Ground Player of the Year Award (2008) Bert Bell Award (2008) NFL awards NFL records
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2011
Rushing yards 6,752 Average rushing yards 4.8 Rushing TDs 64 Receptions 137 Receiving yards 1,309 Receiving TDs 3 Stats at NFL.com

Adrian Lewis Peterson^[1] (born March 21, 1985), nicknamed "A. D." (for "All Day"), "A. P." and "Purple Jesus",^[5] is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL).^[6] Peterson was selected by the Vikings with the seventh overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Oklahoma.

While at Oklahoma, Peterson set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards as a true freshman during the 2004 season. As a First-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind USC quarterback Matt Leinart. Peterson finished his college football career as the Sooners' third all-time leading rusher.^[7]

Following his stellar first pro season in which he set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game (296), Peterson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.^[8] He was then awarded the MVP award for his performance in the Pro Bowl and became only the fifth player in NFL history to have more than 3,000 yards through his first two seasons. In 2010, he became the fifth fastest player to run for 5,000 yards, doing so in his 51st game. Currently, Peterson has the fourth highest average rushing yards per game total in NFL history (min. 50 games) with an average of 92.5, trailing Jim Brown (104.3), Barry Sanders (99.8) and Terrell Davis (97.5).

Early years[link]

Born in Palestine, Texas, to Bonita Brown and Nelson Peterson, who were also star athletes in college.^[9] His father was a shooting guard for Idaho State, however, his dream of an NBA career was derailed when a gun that his brother was cleaning discharged into his leg.^[9][10] His mother, a three time Texas state champion at Westwood High School, attended the University of Houston on an athletic scholarship and was a sprinter and long jumper.^[9] Peterson's best friend was his older brother, Brian. Adrian was nicknamed "All Day," which was later shortened to A.D., by his father because he was a hyperactive kid.^[11]

When he was seven, he saw his older brother, Brian, 9, killed by a drunken driver, as he rode his bicycle.^[11] It was around that time that Peterson began to deal with his pain through sports and became interested in football; he began playing at the age of 7.^[12] He was the star of the Pee Wee football team coached by his father and played in the popular Pop Warner Football program when he was twelve.^[1] When Peterson was thirteen, his father was arrested for laundering money for a crack cocaine ring.^[11]

Peterson continued his interest in athletics into high school, where he competed in track and field, posting a wind-assisted time of 10.33 seconds^[13] in the 100 meters, basketball, and football at Palestine High School.^[2] Peterson was most notable in football, which he played during his junior and senior years.^[14] During his sophomore year, he was not eligible to play for the Palestine High varsity football team.^[9] Peterson's 2002–2003 campaign as a junior ended with 2,051 yards on 246 carries, an average of 8.3 yards per carry, and 22 touchdowns.^[2] It was during his junior year that he began to attract the attention of Division I recruiters and realized he would likely have his pick of colleges after his senior year.^[9]

As a senior in 2003–2004, he rushed for 2,960 yards on 252 attempts, an average of 11.7 yards per carry, and 32 touchdowns.^[2] After a game, players from the other team asked for his autograph.^[9] Following Maurice Clarett's unsuccessful attempt to sue the NFL over its age limit in 2004, there was considerable debate over whether any high school football player might be able to make the leap from the preps to the pro game. The player most frequently mentioned was Peterson.^[15]

After considering schools such as Texas, Texas A&M, UCLA, Arkansas, and Miami,^[16] he decided that he wanted to go to a school where he could be a difference-maker in a national championship run and narrowed his choices down to USC and Oklahoma.^[9] Concluding his high school football career at the annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl, he led the West squad with 95 yards on 9 carries and scored 2 touchdowns, and announced at the game that he would attend college at Oklahoma.^[17] Following the season, he was awarded the Hall Trophy as the U.S. Army National Player of the Year.^[17] In addition, he was named the top high school player by College Football News and Rivals.com.^[2]

College career[link]

Freshman season[link]

Peterson before a game against Washington Huskies.

During his freshman season at Oklahoma, Peterson broke many NCAA freshman rushing records, rushing for 1,925 yards and leading the nation in carries with 339.^[6] In the first nine games of the season, he rushed for more than 100-yards, which is a freshman record.^[18] He rushed for 100 yards in the season opener against Bowling Green,^[19] 117 yards against Houston, 183 yards against Oregon, 146 yards against Texas Tech, 225 yards against Texas, 130 yards against Kansas State, and 122 yards against Kansas.^[18][20]

Against Oklahoma State on October 30, 2004, Peterson had an 80-yard touchdown run and rushed for 161 yards in the third quarter, finishing with a career-high 249 yards.^[21] Despite dislocating his left shoulder in the first half, he managed to run for 101 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries, his ninth straight 100-yard game, against Texas A&M.^[22] In the next game, he saw little action because of his shoulder injury and finished with 58 yards, which ended his streak of consecutive games with at least 100 yards rushing at 9.^[23] In a game versus Baylor, Peterson ran for 240 yards, including three second-half touchdowns,^[24] and set the NCAA record for most 100-yard games by a freshman with 11 against Colorado.^[25] Oklahoma, who were one of the poorest rushing teams the year before, became one of the nation’s best.

Despite his record-breaking season, he finished second to USC quarterback Matt Leinart in the Heisman Trophy voting, which was the highest finish ever for a freshman.^[6] Among other honors, he was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award,^[26] and the first Oklahoma freshman recognized as a First-Team Associated Press All-American.^[6] Peterson contributed to a perfect regular season for the Oklahoma Sooners and participated in the 2005 BCS National Championship Game with a berth to the 2005 Orange Bowl against USC Trojans.^[26] USC retooled their defense to stop Peterson and limited him to just 82 yards, as the Trojans defeated the Sooners, 55-19. USC later vacated the win due to NCAA infractions. After the season, he had surgery on his left shoulder to strengthen the muscles around the joint.^[9]

Sophomore season[link]

In 2005, Peterson's playing time was limited by a high ankle sprain.^[2] He injured his ankle in the first Big 12 Conference game of the season against Kansas State University.^[28] Despite missing time in four games, he rushed for 1,208 yards and 14 touchdowns on 220 carries, finishing second in Big 12 rushing yardage.^[6] His 2005 season was also notable for a career-long 84-yard touchdown run against Oklahoma State University.^[6] Oklahoma finished the season with an 8–4 record, the worst season since 1999. They finished third in the Big 12 behind the Texas Longhorns and the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Sooners would represent the Big 12 in the Holiday Bowl where they defeated the sixth-ranked Oregon Ducks, 17–14.^[29] On July 11, 2007 the NCAA announced the Sooners would have to vacate all victories from the 2005 season, including the bowl game, due to NCAA violations.^[30] Upon the conclusion of the season, he was named a member of the All-Big 12 Conference team.^[6]

Junior season[link]

Peterson runs against Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

Peterson's father, Nelson Peterson, was released from prison during the 2006 college football season and was able to watch his son as a spectator for the first time on October 14, 2006,^[12] when Oklahoma played Iowa State University. Oklahoma defeated Iowa State in that game, however, on the final drive for the Sooners, Peterson broke his collar bone when he attempted to dive into the end zone on a 53-yard touchdown run.^[31] During a press conference on October 18, Peterson said he was told by doctors to expect to be out for 4–6 weeks.^[32] At the time of the injury, Peterson needed only to gain 150 yards to pass Billy Sims as the University of Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher.^[33] He was unable to return for the rest of the Sooners' regular season and missed seven games. The Sooners would turn to Allen Patrick, a junior, and Chris Brown, a freshman to replace Peterson. The team went on a seven game winning streak including winning the Big 12 Championship game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.^[34] He returned for their last game against Boise State in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, where he rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown.^[31] He refused to discuss his plans beyond the end of this season with the press.^[32] He concluded his college football career with 1,112 rushing yards his final season, even after missing multiple games due to injury ^[35] for a total of 4,045 rushing yards (only 3 seasons).^[36] He was 73 yards short of passing Billy Sims as Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher.^[36]

Awards and honors[link]

• Hall Trophy (2004)
• First-team AP All-Freshman (2004)
• First-team consensus All-American (2004)
• Doak Walker Award finalist (2004)
• Heisman Trophy finalist (2004)
• Jim Brown Trophy winner (2004)
• Sports Illustrated All-Decade Team (2009).

Professional career[link]

Pre-draft[link]

On January 15, 2007, Peterson declared that he would forego his senior year of college and enter the 2007 NFL Draft.^[37] Coming into the league, he was known as a tall, upright runner possessing a rare combination of speed, strength, agility, size, and vision, along with a highly aggressive running style.^[2] His rare talent as both a great breakaway and power runner has often raised comparisons to past legends, including Eric Dickerson, Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, O. J. Simpson, Franco Harris and Jim Brown.^[38] Concerns about his injuries suffered during college were noted by the media and potential NFL teams.^{[7][12][39][40]} He started 22 out of 31 games in his college career and had a dislocated shoulder his first year (although he did not miss any games), a high ankle sprain his sophomore year, and a broken collarbone his final year at Oklahoma.^[7] His durability was a consideration for at least two teams in their draft analysis,^[40] which impacted selection position. Prior to the 2007 NFL Draft, Peterson was compared by professional football scouts to Eric Dickerson.^[41] ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. said of Peterson, "You can make the argument, [Peterson] is the best player in this draft, if not, certainly one of the top three."^[42]

Minnesota Vikings[link]

On April 28, 2007, Peterson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Peterson was the first running back selected in that year's draft. At a press conference during the draft, Peterson announced, "My collarbone, I would say it's 90% healed. A lot of teams know that, and I don't see it stopping me from being prepared for the season."^[44]

Peterson believed he was a player that a franchise could build around. In an interview with IGN following the NFL Draft, he said, "I'm a player who is coming in with the determination to turn a team around. I want to help my team get to the playoffs, win…and run wild. I want to bring people to the stands. I want people to come to the game to see what I can do next. Things like that can change the whole attitude of an organization. I want to win."^[45] He later told the Star Tribune in an interview, "I want to be the best player to ever play this game."^[46] Nearly three months after being drafted, he was signed by the Vikings on July 29, 2007. His contract was worth US$40.5 million over six years, with $17 million guaranteed.^[47]

2007 season[link]

Peterson began his outstanding rookie season with high expectations for himself; he announced ambitious goals including being named Offensive Rookie of the Year and rushing for over 1,300 yards during the course of the year. The NFL's rushing record for a rookie was formerly held by Eric Dickerson at 1,808 yards.^[48] Just 11 weeks into his rookie season with the Vikings, Peterson was well on his way to Dickerson's record and considered one of the elite running backs in the NFL.^[49]

On August 10, Peterson made his Minnesota Vikings debut in a preseason game against the St. Louis Rams.^[50] Peterson ran for 33 yards on 11 carries with 1 catch for 2 yards.^[51] On September 9, 2007, Peterson ran for 103 yards on 19 carries in his first NFL regular season game against the Atlanta Falcons.^[52] In addition to his rushing yardage, he scored his first professional football touchdown on a 60-yard pass reception.^[52] Over his first three regular season games, his 431 yards (271 rushing & 160 receiving) from scrimmage are a team record.^[53] For his performance during the three games, Peterson received the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month award for both September and October 2007.^[54][55]

His breakout game as a professional came on October 14, 2007 against the Chicago Bears, highlighted by a three-touchdown performance and a then-franchise record of 224 yards rushing on 20 carries.^[56] Peterson established additional team records for a rookie during this game, which included the most 100-yard games rushing and the longest touchdown run from scrimmage.^[57] He also set an NFL rookie record with 361 all-purpose yards in a single game. His 607 rushing yards through the first five games of the season is second in NFL history to Eric Dickerson.^[58] Following Peterson's record performance, Deion Sanders, now an NFL Network analyst, said about him: "He has the vision of a Marshall Faulk, the power of an Earl Campbell, and the speed of an Eric Dickerson. Let's pray he has the endurance of an Emmitt Smith."^[59] He has also been compared to Walter Payton and Tony Dorsett by Star Tribune sports journalist Jim Souhan.^[60]

Three weeks later, on November 4, 2007, Peterson broke his own franchise record as well as the NFL single game rushing yard record (previously held by Jamal Lewis since 2003) when he rushed for 296 yards on 30 carries and 3 touchdowns against the San Diego Chargers in a home game in Minneapolis.^[61][62] That game was his second game of over 200 yards rushing, a feat no other rookie has ever accomplished in a season.^[63] In addition to the NFL rushing record in a single game, it took him past 1,000 yards rushing for the year after just eight games.^[63] His 1,036 rushing yards represents the best eight-game performance by a rookie in NFL history.^[64]

Peterson splitting defenders in the 2008 Pro Bowl.

In honor of Peterson's record-breaking performance against the San Diego Chargers, the jersey he wore that night was sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On November 11, 2007, just a week later, Peterson injured the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in a game against the Green Bay Packers.^[65] The injury occurred in the third quarter of a 34–0 defeat at Lambeau Field on a low tackle by Packers cornerback Al Harris.^[65] Almost a month after the injury, Peterson returned to action on December 2, 2007 against the Detroit Lions scoring 2 touchdowns and rushing for 116 yards.^[66]

On December 17, Peterson played in his first Monday Night Football game, where he had 78 yards rushing, 17 yards receiving and 2 TDs. The next day he was named as the starting running back for the 2008 NFC Pro Bowl team. On January 2, he was named The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.^[8]

On February 10, 2008, Peterson won the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl MVP award with 16 carries for 129 yards rushing along with 2 touchdowns. The 129 yards rushing was the 2nd most in Pro Bowl history. He was the first rookie since Marshall Faulk in 1994 to win the Pro Bowl MVP award.^[67] Peterson and Faulk are currently the only NFL players to win both the NFL Pro Bowl MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the same year. Peterson finished in second place in rushing yards (1341) in the 2007 season behind LaDainian Tomlinson, who finished with 1474 rushing yards.^[68]

2008 season[link]

Peterson in a 2008 NFC Wild Card game against the Eagles

Peterson and the Vikings entered the 2008 season with high expectations and as he did during his rookie season, Peterson set high goals for himself including a 2,000-yard campaign and the NFL MVP award.^[69] Questions remained as to Peterson's durability and the ability of the Vikings offense to take the focus of opposing defenses off Peterson.

Peterson and the Vikings began the season with a 24–19 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He finished with 103 yards on 19 carries along with a touchdown. In the following loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Peterson rushed for a then season-high 160 yards on 29 carries, and also recorded 4 receptions for 20 yards. However, Peterson was held to 77 yards on 17 carries and no score in their 20–10 win against the Carolina Panthers, partly because of a hamstring injury suffered the previous week. In the next game, a loss to Tennessee, Peterson rushed 18 times for 80 yards and scored 2 touchdowns along with 4 receptions for 21 yards. In the 30–27 win over the New Orleans Saints, Peterson was held to 32 yards on 21 carries, a 1.5 average. Against the Detroit Lions in the following week, Peterson rushed 25 times for 111 yards, but lost 2 fumbles. However, Peterson bounced back from the fumbles the following week against the Bears, totaling 22 carries for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Following a bye week, Peterson rushed 25 times for 139 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Houston. The contest marked the third straight 100-yard rushing game for Peterson and the Vikings. As of week 8, Peterson was second in the NFL in rushing yards with 823 yards, 172 yards behind Clinton Portis. In week 10, on Sunday, November 9, Peterson played in a victory against the Green Bay Packers 28–27. He had 30 carries for 192 yards. His longest run was 29 yards; the run was the game-winning touchdown. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry and also had 3 receptions. Peterson's stellar performance put him in the top spot for rushing yards this season, with 1015 yards.

Week 11 saw the Minnesota Vikings (5–4) at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6–3). Tampa Bay was coming off a bye week and was a notoriously difficult team to run against. Peterson was limited to 85 yards on just 19 carries, as the Vikings struggled to produce offense. In Week 12 Peterson was benched the first two offensive series vs. the Jaguars for being late to a team meeting, although he did amass 80 rushing yards and a TD. At the end of Week 12, Peterson became the NFL league leader for rushing yards again with 1,311 yards. Following Week 16, Peterson had 1,657 yards which led the league, and it was announced on December 18, Peterson would be the starting running back for the NFC Pro Bowl team. In his final regular season game in 2008, Peterson ran for 103 yards 21 carries, including a 67 yard touchdown run.

Peterson finished the season leading the league in rushing with 1,760 yards, which marks the third-most yards in a sophomore season behind Eric Dickerson's 2,105 yard season, and Chris Johnson's 2,006-yard season one year later. In Peterson's first 30 games he had 3,101 yards, which marks the 3rd best start to a career for running backs behind Eric Dickerson with 3,600 yards and Jim Brown with 3,144 yards. He became the fourth running back to lead the league in yards per game in his first two seasons along with Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, and Eric Dickerson. On January 14, 2009, Peterson was named to his second AP All-Pro team in two years.

2009 season[link]

Prior to the start of the 2009 season, analysts of both the NFL Network and ESPN unanimously named Peterson the best running back in the NFL today. However, the arrival of Brett Favre, one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, coming out of retirement brought both expectation and speculation about Peterson's new role in the offense. Head Coach Brad Childress, however, stated that he wanted to continue leaning on Peterson, giving him a large number of carries. Favre worked well into the offense through the first half of the season, re-establishing Peterson's ability with a passing attack. Peterson had 917 rushing yards through week 10, while the Vikings had a record of 8–1.

Peterson opened the season by rushing for 180 yards on 25 carries and 3 touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns, setting a new Vikings franchise record for opening day rushing. He again broke the hundred-yard barrier in week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens, with 143 yards and 22 carries. His next 100-yard effort came against the Lions, with 133 yards on 18 carries, and he was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.

In the playoffs, Minnesota won against the Dallas Cowboys 34–3 but then lost to the Saints in an overtime thriller 31–28. Peterson rushed for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns. Peterson finished the year fifth in rushing and lost Fed-Ex Ground player of the year to Chris Johnson who had over 2,000 yards rushing on the 2009 season. Peterson was voted to the Pro Bowl December 29 as the starting RB for the NFC team.

2010 season[link]

Peterson opened strongly in 2010, with 392 yards and 3 touchdowns through the first 3 weeks. In week 6, he went over the 5,000 yard career rushing mark against the Dallas Cowboys. At week 7, Peterson was second in the league with 684 yards, averaging 114 yards per game, but the Vikings had dropped to a disappointing mark of 2–4. By Week 16, Peterson had rushed for 1,267 yards with 12 touchdowns, as the Vikings improved to a 6–9 record. Peterson, who was infamous for fumbling the ball in previous seasons, had a dramatic change in the 2010 season with only one fumble during the regular season, a remarkable turnaround from his previous performances. While the Vikings missed the playoffs, Peterson represented his team in the Pro Bowl. Peterson thus far has been selected to the Pro Bowl every year he has played in the NFL. During the game, Peterson contributed 80 rushing yards and a touchdown in a 55-41 NFC win. After the season, Adrian Peterson was voted the # 1 running back and # 3 player overall on NFL Network's list of the Top 100 Players of 2011 as selected exclusively by NFL players. Peterson forced 53 missed tackles and 877 yards after contact only carrying the football 283 times, proving why he is the best back in the league today.

2011 season[link]

According to NFL.com, Peterson is ranked as the third best player in the NFL for the 2011 season, behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. On September 10, 2011 the Vikings signed Peterson for $96 million dollars over the course of seven seasons, making him the highest paid running back in NFL history.^[70] Peterson reached the 6,000 yard milestone on September 18, 2011 in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On October 9, Peterson scored three touchdowns in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals, setting a new franchise record. He would later earn NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance during the game.^[71] In a week 10 contest against the Oakland Raiders, Adrian suffered a high ankle sprain late in the first quarter, he was then later ruled out for their week 11 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

On December 24, 2011, Peterson was injured and helped off the field in a 33-26 victory over the Washington Redskins. He was placed onto injured reserve due to a torn ACL and MCL on December 26, 2011.

For the first time in his career, Peterson failed to record a 1,000-yard season after playing only 12 games during the year.

NFL awards[link]

• 2007 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
• 2007 Diet Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year
• 2007 Second-Team All-Pro
• 2007 Pro Bowl MVP
• 2007 Pro Bowl
• 2008 Pro Bowl
• 2008 Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award
• 2008 Rushing Title (1760 yards)
• 2008 First-Team All-Pro
• 2008 FedEx Ground Player of the Year.
• 2009 Pro Bowl
• 2009 First-Team All-Pro
• 2010 Pro Bowl
• 2010 Second-Team All-Pro

NFL records[link]

• Most 200-yard rushing games for a rookie (2)
• Most yards rushing in the first eight games (1,036)
• Most yards rushing in a single game (296)
• Second rookie ever to win Pro Bowl MVP (Marshall Faulk in 1994)
• Pro Bowl record in career rushing touchdowns (4)

Career statistics[link]

Source: NFL.com

Personal[link]

Peterson has a half-brother named Jaylen Brown who currently plays football at Klein Oak High School in Texas as its running back. His dad nicknamed him "All Day", which was later shortened to A.D.—his nickname today. Peterson's brother Brian, older by one year, was killed by a drunk driver when Peterson was seven; another half-brother was murdered the night before Peterson participated in the NFL Combine.^[72]

In an episode of E:60, ESPN reporter Rachel Nichols states that Peterson has two children,^[73] including a daughter named Adeja.^[74] He currently resides in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his brothers Derrick and Eldon Peterson.^[75]

Recently, as the NFL network series Top 100 - NFL players of 2011 concluded, Peterson was voted as the number 3 player in the league, behind only quarterbacks Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.^[76]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Adrian Peterson

• Official website
• Minnesota Vikings bio

Michael Irvin

Michael Irvin, October 2007
No. 88
Wide receiver
Personal information
Date of birth: (1966-03-05) March 5, 1966 (age 46)
Place of birth: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Career information
College: Miami (FL)
NFL Draft: 1988 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11
Debuted in 1988 for the Dallas Cowboys
Last played in 1999 for the Dallas Cowboys
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (1988–1999)
Career highlights and awards
5× Pro Bowl selection (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995) First-Team All-Pro selection (1991) 2× Second-Team All-Pro selection (1992, 1993) 3× Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) NFL 1990s All-Decade Team 1992 Pro Bowl MVP Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee
Career NFL statistics as of 1999
Receptions 750 Receiving yards 11,904 Touchdowns 65 Stats at NFL.com
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Michael Jerome Irvin (born March 5, 1966) is a former American football player for the Dallas Cowboys, and actor. He is also a former broadcaster for ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown and currently an analyst for NFL Network. Irvin was self-nicknamed "The Playmaker" due to his penchant for making big plays in big games during his college career. He played college football at the University of Miami. In 2007, he was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Irvin is also known as one of "The Triplets" along with Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith.^[1] The Triplets highlighted the Dallas Cowboys' offense in the 1990s that won three Super Bowls.

He competed in season 9 of Dancing with the Stars.^[2][3] Irvin was the 9th contestant to be eliminated.

College career[link]

The 15th of 17 siblings, Irvin was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He first attended Piper High School then went on to become a football star at St. Thomas Aquinas High School and was heavily recruited by the University of Miami, one of the top collegiate football programs in the nation. With the University of Miami, under coach Jimmy Johnson, Irvin set school records for career receptions (143), receiving yards (2,423 - later broken by Santana Moss) and touchdown receptions (26). He was part of Miami's 1987 National Championship team, and made one of the most legendary plays in school history that year, scoring on a 73-yard fourth quarter touchdown pass from Steve Walsh that provided the margin of victory in Miami's triumph over archrival Florida State, which propelled them into the National Championship Game against the top ranked Oklahoma Sooners in the Orange Bowl.

Even at the time, Irvin was known for his exuberance, best displayed by his routine practice of pointing to the sky with both hands after scoring touchdowns. Critics referred to the move as hot-dogging, though Irvin responded that the gesture was a tribute to his late father. Before a game, his mother would tell him "Say a little prayer, and ask God to be with you...Then go get 'em." Irvin retired the celebration after forgoing his final year of eligibility to declare for the 1988 NFL Draft.

Since leaving the University of Miami, Irvin has remained a staunch supporter of the Hurricanes' football program, often seen on the Miami sideline during big games and giving tutorials to receivers. He has also acted as a mentor off the field to younger Hurricane players over the years.

Irvin was interviewed about his time at the University of Miami for the documentary The U, which premiered December 12, 2009 on ESPN.

Michael was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

Professional career[link]

Dallas Cowboys[link]

Irvin was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th selection in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He was the last first-round draft pick made by the Cowboys under the leadership of long-time general manager Tex Schramm, player personnel director Gil Brandt, and coach Tom Landry (Schramm predicted that Irvin would accelerate the Cowboys' "return to the living"). Irvin became the first rookie receiver in Cowboys' history to start a game in 20 years, in which he caught his first touchdown the same game. Also as a rookie, Irvin caught 3 touchdown passes in the Cowboys' win over Washington, one of only three wins that season and the final win of Tom Landry's career. He finished his rookie season with a 20.4 yards per catch average, which led the NFC.

The Cowboys misfortunes continued the following year as they finished with a 1–15 record, the worst in franchise history, while injuries limited Irvin to only six games. But under the strength of new players such as Jay Novacek, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith, the team began to improve. They finished the 1990 season 7–9, and then recorded an 11–5 record in 1991. Irvin was a major reason for their playoff season of 1991, finishing with 93 receptions, an NFL-best 1,523 yards, and 8 touchdowns. He made the All-Pro team that year and was selected to the first of five consecutive Pro Bowls.

From 1991 through 1998, Irvin recorded 1,000-yard seasons in all but one year, racking up an impressive 10,265 yards over an eight-year span. Along the way, the Cowboys made four straight appearances in the NFC Championship Game (1992–1995) and captured three Super Bowl titles with back-to-back wins over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII and Super Bowl XXVIII, and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. His best season was in 1995, when he set Dallas records for receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,603), while also scoring 10 touchdowns and setting an NFL record with 11 games with over 100 yards receiving. He added seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game en route to the Cowboys' third Super Bowl win in a span of four seasons.

Irvin is the only player to play for each of the first four Cowboys coaches since the team has been owned by Jerry Jones (Landry, Johnson, Barry Switzer and Chan Gailey). Irvin officially announced his retirement after Dave Campo became the fifth Cowboys coach, but Irvin never played on the field for Campo.

The Cowboys have been in eight Super Bowls; Irvin played in three of them, all of which Dallas won.

Winning Super Bowls in the 1990s[link]

In 1992 and 1993, Irvin was a key player on the Cowboys' Super Bowl teams. In 1994, he enjoyed another stellar campaign with his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl season, but that year the Cowboys lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. For his part, however, Irvin had one of the most productive games in NFL playoff history, with 12 catches for an NFC championship record 192 yards and two touchdowns.

One of his greatest performances was in Super Bowl XXVII, where he caught seven passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns. His two touchdowns catches were both in the second quarter and occurred in a span of just 18 seconds, the fastest pair of touchdowns ever scored by one player in Super Bowl history. He also became only the second player ever to score 2 touchdowns in one quarter of a Super Bowl, after Washington Redskin Ricky Sanders in Super Bowl XXII.

Irvin was also a key contributor in the Cowboys victories in Super Bowl XXVIII and Super Bowl XXX, recording five receptions for 66 yards in the first one, and five receptions for 75 yards in the second.

Career-ending injury in Philadelphia[link]

Recovered from his collar bone injury, Irvin returned to have very solid years in 1997 and 1998. During the fifth game of the 1999 season, Irvin, playing wide receiver, was tackled at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia by Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Tim Hauck and went head-first into the turf.

Irvin was carted off the Philadelphia field on a stretcher as the Philadelphia fans cheered,^[4] and the play in Philadelphia proved to be his last. He sustained a non-life-threatening cervical spinal cord injury and was subsequently diagnosed with a narrow spinal column (cervical spinal stenosis), which forced him into early retirement.^{[citation needed]}

Irvin later told talkshow host Jim Rome that he accepted Eagles fans cheering his injury because he'd been "killing them for 10 years".

Irvin was the last Tom Landry-coached player to retire from the NFL. Tom Landry passed away in the months between Irvin's last game and his official retirement announcement.

Records and honors[link]

Irvin finished his career with 750 receptions (27th all-time in the NFL) for 11,904 yards (17th all-time in the NFL) and 65 touchdowns. His 47 100-yard receiving games remains the third most in NFL history, behind Hall of Famers Jerry Rice (65) and Don Maynard (50). Irvin was selected to five Pro Bowls (2 more than any other wide receiver in franchise history) and was named the MVP of the 1992 Pro Bowl (following the 1991 season) after catching 8 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown in the NFC's 21–15 triumph. Irvin was a key playmaker for the Dallas Cowboys that won 6 division titles and three Super Bowls. As part of Dallas' starting lineup on offense, Irvin was a consistent force to be reckoned with in the regular season but he also excelled in postseason play where his six career 100-yard receiving days are just two shy of the NFL mark held by Jerry Rice (8). His 87 postseason receptions place him second in NFL playoff history, again behind Rice (151), and his 1,315 postseason receiving yards ranks second only to Rice (2,245), a Hall of Fame inductee.

At 6'2" and 207 pounds, Irvin was a big, physical receiver who manhandled cornerbacks and often was able to make tough catches in defensive traffic. In part because of Irvin's ability to push off the defender with such ease, the NFL eventually changed its rules to adjust to wide receivers who emulated Irvin's physical style.

For Dallas, Irvin was a vocal, emotional leader, who set every significant career receiving mark in team history, including catches and receiving yards. At the time of his retirement, he owned or was tied for 20 Cowboys receiving records. Despite his "Playmaker" style on the field and flashy personality that was evident in his animated, brash commentary as a top NFL analyst for ESPN, Irvin is most remembered by his fellow Cowboys as a consummate teammate. As Fox's Daryl Johnston told a national conference call: "Michael was the hardest working guy on our team. ... He was a guy who made some wrong decisions, but he never took anything public, and he never spoke out against anyone on our team. He wasn't a problem. He was more of an inspiration." Currently, Irvin has high regard for players who are from as he likes to call the University of Miami, "The U," such as Frank Gore and Edgerrin James.^[5]

Along with his former Cowboy teammates Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, Irvin was inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor on September 19, 2005.

Irvin became eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005. He was not selected, however, in 2005 or 2006, his first two years of eligibility. However, on February 3, 2007, his third year of eligibility, Irvin was elected as one of the class of 2007 enshrinees, alongside Thurman Thomas, Bruce Matthews, Roger Wehrli, Charlie Sanders, and Gene Hickerson. Irvin was inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 4, 2007 in Canton, Ohio.

Irvin became one of three former NFL players with Cowboys ties selected for induction into the 2007 class of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, joining four other notables who will be inducted at a February, 2008, ceremony in Waco, Texas.^[6] (The other players are Jim Ray Smith of the Cleveland Browns who finished his career with the Cowboys (1963–64) and Ray Childress a five-time Pro Bowl defensive end for the Houston Oilers who wrapped up his NFL career with the Cowboys in 1996.) In 2007 he was named to FHSAA's All-Century Team that listed the Top 33 football players in the state of Florida's 100 year history of high school football.

Hall of Fame Induction[link]

On August 4, 2007, Irvin was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame, delivering a tearful acceptance speech in which he referenced both his life as a football player and the many mistakes he has made in his life. His speech has been praised by many NFL commentators as heartfelt, including those who had been inclined to dislike him.^[7]

On October 14, 2007, Michael Irvin accepted his Hall of Fame ring at Texas Stadium during halftime of the Dallas Cowboys/New England Patriots game. In his speech, he proposed to Commissioner Roger Goodell that from the 2008 class, all drafted rookies (not regarding subsequent undrafted rookie free agents) will have a tour of Pro Football Hall of Fame to better understand their football history.^[8]

Legal troubles[link]

1996 arrest[link]

In March 1996, Irvin was arrested on charges of cocaine possession at a hotel party celebrating his 30th birthday. After numerous court appearances amid a national media circus, which featured Irvin showing up to court in a full-length mink coat, he pled no contest to the charges and was sentenced to community service, ordered to pay a $10,000 fine, and put on 4-years probation. When tested for illicit drugs, he tested negative. But the NFL suspended Irvin for the first five games of the 1996 season.

In Irvin's 1996 absence, the Cowboys struggled out of the gate and never recovered. Upon his return from suspension, Irvin tallied 962 receiving yards in only 11 games.

False sexual assault allegation[link]

Irvin's reputation was further damaged in 1996 as the Cowboys prepared to play the Carolina Panthers in the NFC Divisional Playoff game. Media reports stated that Irvin and teammate Erik Williams had sexually assaulted a Dallas woman, Nina Shahravan, and, with a gun to her head, videotaped the interaction.

Despite Williams' and Irvin's denials of the allegations, the story overshadowed the game, which the Cowboys lost. The accuser was later proven to have fabricated the entire incident. She recanted her story, plead guilty to perjury and filing a false police report, and was sentenced to 90 days in prison and a fine.

In the first quarter of the playoff game with Carolina, with Shahravan's allegations under active investigation by Dallas police, Irvin suffered a broken collarbone, ending his 1996 season.

1998 alleged assault[link]

In 1998 Irvin was alleged to be involved in a bizarre incident during training camp when he allegedly inflicted a two-inch cut in the neck of Dallas guard Everett McIver while some team members were getting haircuts.^[9] Whether it was battery or accidental McIver did not press charges, and rumors swirled that Irvin brokered a six-figure settlement with McIver to drop the matter. Accounts of this incident after the alleged settlement became difficult to find or research in the local Dallas press.^[10]

Arrests since retirement[link]

A year following his retirement from the NFL, Irvin again was arrested on drug possession charges.^[11] In this case, Irvin was in a Dallas apartment with an unrelated woman. Neither answered the door when police drug task force agents arrived with a search warrant. Police entered the apartment forcibly, finding drugs. Irvin and the female were placed under arrest, though charges against Irvin were later dropped.

The promises of a new lifestyle in broadcasting appeared to be short-lived, with Irvin again arrested. In this instance Irvin was pulled over in Plano, Texas, for speeding on November 25, 2005. Irvin was arrested on an outstanding warrant on an unpaid speeding ticket in Irving, Texas, but was also cited for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his car and found a pipe, and plastic bags with marijuana residue.^[12] Irvin was arrested for a Class C misdemeanor. He was later released on bond.

Two days after his arrest, Irvin appeared on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown", as scheduled, on November 27, 2005. In his on-the-air comments that evening, he stated that he had taken the drug paraphernalia away from a longtime friend who was battling a drug addiction. Irvin told the Associated Press he was trying to help someone close to him get off drugs and cares more about that than his chances of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The next day Irvin said the pipe was in fact his brother's and he (Irvin) was going to throw it out but had forgotten to do so.

On December 1, 2005, however, ESPN suspended Irvin for the Sunday and Monday night Countdown shows on December 4 and December 5, 2005.^[13] He returned to both shows with no mention or consequence of the past incident.

Another sexual assault allegation[link]

On July 4, 2007 Irvin was accused of sexual assault while he was at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Charges were never filed, but a civil suit was filed against him in 2010.^[14]

Victim of alleged carjacking attempt[link]

Irvin claims that he was a victim of a possible carjacking attempt while stopped at a light in Dallas on January 12, 2009. He filed a police report claiming that two men flashed a gun at him, but eventually drove away after commenting that they were Cowboys fans.^[15] Dallas police suspended their investigation two weeks later, stating that Irvin had not cooperated in the investigation and that without more information from him, they could not proceed.^[16]

Controversial statements[link]

Controversy continued to follow Irvin when during a November 2006 radio interview on the Dan Patrick show, Irvin joked that Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's athletic ability may have been due to African-American heritage, and made references to Romo's maternal relatives being involved with "slave brothers".^[17] Irvin later apologized. He explained himself saying, "this is how I joke around with Romo when we're playing basketball. There's a difference from me the player and me the broadcaster".^[18]

On February 17, 2007, during its late edition of SportsCenter, ESPN announced that Irvin was no longer with the network. ESPN Communications Vice President Josh Krulewitz said of Irvin, "We thank Michael for his contributions to ESPN and wish him well." However, eleven months later, in January 2008, Irvin rejoined ESPN as a host on ESPN Radio O&O KESN (103.3 FM) in Dallas, hosting The Michael Irvin Show. This locally-aired program ended on February 5, 2010, and Irvin was let go after his contract expired.^[19] An ESPN spokesman cited declining ratings and that news of a lawsuit filed against Irvin for a 2007 incident "simply expedited the situation".^[20]

Entertainment career[link]

Irvin joined the NFL Network broadcast team in Fall 2009. On NFL Sundays, he can be seen alongside Marshall Faulk, Warren Sapp, Kurt Warner and Steve Mariucci on NFL GameDay Morning.

Irvin was a co-star in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard, starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Irvin also guest starred in Sandler's film Jack & Jill, which was released on November 11, 2011. He was one of the "Pros" on an episode of Pros vs Joes, which puts former pro athletes against average people. He was the host of 4th and Long, a football-themed reality series which aired on Spike TV. The winner, Jesse Holley earned a spot at the Dallas Cowboys' training camp.^[21][22]

Irvin also appeared in a 2009 episode of Burn Notice, titled "Hot Spot," playing a football coach for disadvantaged kids who recruits the main characters to help one of his players out.

Irvin also hosts a radio show on Miami's WQAM with Kevin Kiley from Noon to 3 PM.^[23]

Personal[link]

Irvin was born into a family of 17 children.^[24]

Michael Irvin married Sandy Harrell in June 1990; they have three children. He also has a daughter, Myesha Beyonca, by former girlfriend Felicia Walker. His niece, Sandora Irvin, was a standout basketball player at Texas Christian University. On April 16, 2005, Sandora was selected by the Phoenix Mercury of the WNBA in their annual draft.

Irvin has joined with the Tetra Companies to form TMI Group, which develops mixed-use properties throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Irvin is an outspoken advocate of the gay rights movement. In a 2011 article in Out magazine, Irvin discussed his homosexual older brother, who died of stomach cancer in 2006. He claimed his initial feelings of homophobia in relation to his brother led to womanizing during his playing days, but eventual acceptance and feelings of love toward his older brother initiated his advocacy for same-sex marriage.^[24]

In August 2011, officials from the Elite Football League of India announced that Irvin would be among the primary investors and advisers for the league. Other prominent American backers include former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski, and NFL linebacker Brandon Chillar.^[25][26]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Michael Irvin

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
• Michael Irvin's Official Website and Merchandise.
• Michael Irvin profile at NNDB.