Michael Irvin has never been shy about his wild early years in the NFL, and the Hall of Famer delivered another story this week that fits perfectly into his larger-than-life persona.
Videos by FanBuzz
AP Photo/Frank Victores
Appearing on Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast, the former Cowboys star revealed that he once used his very first $1 million check as a prop to impress women.
"That check, that first million-dollar check. I left that right there on the table," Irvin said, pretending to hold up a check and acting out the scene. "So as soon as they walk in they say, 'That's your check.'" Irvin then joked through laughter that the strategy worked better than any financial plan.
"My finance people were calling me saying, 'Send that check, Michael, we're losing, we're losing.' I said, 'Shoot, I'm winning. What are you talking about?'"
Irvin grew up in poverty in Fort Lauderdale, which he bluntly called "Brokeville," and admitted he had no idea how to handle life-changing money when the Cowboys drafted him No. 11 overall in 1988. He turned that rookie deal into one of the greatest careers in Dallas history, winning three Super Bowls in the 1990s and cementing himself as one of the most important figures in franchise lore.
Irvin has also been open about how life eventually settled down. He married Sandy Harrell in 1990, and they remain together 35 years later. The couple raised three children together while Irvin also has a daughter from a previous relationship. He shared last year that Sandy has been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's, and the family has hired a nurse to help with her care.
"She, if anybody, has earned the right to be in her home," Irvin told Sharpe. "And no matter what, she will be in her home."
Irvin retired after 12 seasons with 750 career catches, 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns. He made five straight Pro Bowls from 1991 to 1995 and remains one of the most iconic players in Cowboys history.
