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Sports Watch
THEY'RE breaking up, that old gang of mine. They haven't been America's Team in a while. And if it weren't for Emmitt and Troy, they probably wouldn't be my team, either. Irvin put the swagger
in brash champsI still root for the Dallas Cowboys, although it's getting harder each passing year.
Now Michael Irvin's gone, retired at age 34 because of a life-threatening neck injury, ending an illustrious 12-year career with the Cowboys.
Irvin rode off in the sunset, following the retirement trail taken also by Jay Novacek, big Nate Newton and Daryl Johnston.
The tragic death last May of Mark Tuinei, who didn't have too much time to enjoy his retirement, also left a void, not only on the once massive Cowboys' offensive line.
It seemed only recently that I had a chance to celebrate with Tuinei in the Dallas locker room after the Cowboys beat Pittsburgh to win their third Super Bowl in four years at Tempe, Ariz.
What a joyous time it was for the Tuinei family. Mark had his third Super Bowl ring and, by then, in his 14th and penultimate season with the Cowboys, had been one of the team's most quotable players.
Of that group, the only Cowboy stars still remaining are Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Larry Allen, Erik Williams, Darren Woodson and, when he's not on some kind of suspension, Leon Lett.
Irvin was one of the last links who made the swaggering Cowboys cocky and brash.
"When the game was on the line, that was my time," he used to say.
"What really defined his career were big plays at big times," said Aikman, who teamed up with Irvin for most of them.
Irvin got under a lot of people's skins not only when he played for the Cowboys, but also for the Miami Hurricanes.
No. 88 was easy to dislike, if you weren't a Dallas fan. And many weren't.
PERHAPS Johnston, who played with Irvin since 1989 before he also retired with a neck injury, put it best:
"People might think he's all show, but it's not. That's him. It can be irritating if you're not on his team or rooting for his team, but that's a big part of his success."
Irvin figures to become the first Dallas Cowboys wide receiver to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He owns or shares 20 club records.
Irvin has the numbers -- 47 100-yard games and seven 1,000-yard season -- and the Super Bowl rings (three) to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
Is he deserving of the Hall of Fame despite his off-the-field "rap" sheet that included a drug bust, allegations of sexual assault and that scissors incident?
Yes. And, really, the reason why can be answered in two words -- Lawrence Taylor. If L.T. can make it, so can Irvin.
Irvin said he wasn't sure about his chances. "But the Ring of Honor?" he said, grabbing owner Jerry Jones' arm. "No question. Not as long as this man owns the team."
It would be a rare tribute indeed if Irvin gets into the Ring of Honor at Texas Stadium.
Only nine players and former coach Tom Landry have been admitted.
Surprisingly, you can count the Dallas players in the Hall of Fame on one hand. There are only five -- Bob Lilly, Roger Staubach, Tony Dorsett, Randy White and Mel Renfro.
Michael Irvin, who played in five Pro Bowls at Aloha Stadium, will be the sixth Cowboy one of these years.
Here's hoping Hawaii fans can get to see him strut between the AFC and NFC Pro Bowlers when that happens.
Then, some day, Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith as well.
How about them Cowboys?