The Playmaker enters the NFL Hall of Fame…

“… I went on to the University of Miami. I think most of y’all know how I feel about the U. Yeah, the U. You better believe it.” – Michael Irvin, Saturday August 4th, 2007 – Canton, Ohio.

Michael Irvin was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame this past weekend. As proud as the Dallas community is of an all time Cowboys legend, the sentiment back home in South Florida is an even greater sense of pride that ‘one of our own’ got out and achieved the highest level of success.

The Playmaker wasn’t perfect and was oft hung out to dry by the media due to some poor decision making. Even then, no one ever questioned Irvin’s heart, his work ethic or his, dare I say, swagger. #47 or #88, depending on how you knew him best, was always “on” and going full force – whether it was practice, game time, post game or free time.

All the Hall of Fame articles this past week recap Mike’s greatness. Working out in 102 degree weather during a Cowboys off-season, puking all over himself, not missing a beat and continuing with his route running. Stories from past teammates about the attitude, work ethic and ability to have others follow his lead.

Hardest working guy on the squad. Never threw a teammate or coach under the bus. Treated a walk-on kicker with the same respect he did guys like Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. Over time, found his heart for God and seems to have gotten things straight with his maker.

On Saturday, Irvin free flowed and spoke from the heart. No need for notes. This speech had been coming a long while. He spoke of his upbringing, St. Thomas Aquinas, The U, the Cowboys, coaches, teammates and of course, his family. Jeff Pearlman of ESPN.com summed it up best:

Irvin was who he has always been — spontaneous and heartfelt. Rambling and babbling. Poignant and insightful. Most of all, Irvin was humbled. He spoke of gridiron triumphs, but the most jarring moment came when Irvin discussed his two sons, Michael, 10, and Elijah, 8, and how he prayed for them to avoid the lapses that, sadly, pock his brilliant 12-year career. It was a page out of latter-day Mickey Mantle; a snapshot of a flawed hero succumbing to his shortcomings.

“I say, please, help me raise them for some young lady so that they can be a better husband than I,” he said. “Help me raise them for their kids so that they could be a better father than I. And I tell you guys to always do the right thing so you can be a better role model than dad.”

The tears streamed from Irvin’s eyes, forming small puddles alongside his nose that refused to dry.

They told the story of a broken man. Of a redemptive man. Of a triumphant man. Of a Hall of Famer.

I’ve had three encounters with The Playmaker over the years. I first met him at All Sports back in the day as a junior high school student and was star-struck. I was 12 and Irvin was 20. I got an autograph and life was good.

Like all Canes fans, I followed Irvin during his Dallas year and with Russell Maryland, Darrin Smith and Jimmy Johnson in the fold, I had no issue pulling for the “Miami Cowboys” during that era. I crossed paths with Irvin during that era, around 1995 when he spoke at a Broward County high school sports luncheon and blew off an autograph seeking buddy and I.

Mink coat and all, it was my lone brush with Michael Irvin, the stereotype and he lived up to the hype. He blew right by us, the only guys near the parking garage elevator. There was no one within a half mile of the three of us and he shut us down. It changed my perspective of an all time favorite Cane.

Thankfully our chance encounter eight years later changed all that.

I last met The Playmaker on the Best Damn Sports Show Period, when a PGA bud of mine was on the show in February 2003. “U” hat on and rocking the “Robbery In The Desert” tee a month after the Fiasco Bowl, I was (re)introduced to Irvin, received a bear hug and 20 minutes later finally came up for air.

We talked Miami and he gushed about it being the best years of his life. He talked about the program and his teammates, his love for The U as well as getting jobbed by Ohio State. He was as crushed as anyone after that game. Talked about his reaction as he watched it and kept shaking his head saying, ‘they stole our title’.

Since that day, my faith in The Playmaker was renewed and that’s why I’m thrilled to congratulate him today on the allCanesBlog. Irvin paid his dues and had his highs and lows, but yesterday he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame and that’s something they can never take away to the kid from Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

.:Canes305:.

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