Michael Irvin's Hall of Fame Induction Speech - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

1. I'm not buying the "heartfelt" speech. Sounds way too similar to Jim Valvano's speech when he had cancer. I think it's all tied to Irvin wanting to redeem himself and get back into big time sports broadcasting.

What better way to accomplish his personal/professional interests to return to the broadcasting heights that have a speech modeled after one of the most reported speeches in the history of sports journalism.

Remember, this is the guy who made a fool of himself time after time on the ESPN set. So much so that ESPN had no choice but to sit him down.

Crocodile tears? Probably not because he can cry at the drop of a referee's flag. How do I know? Because I was a team mate with the Cowboys and saw this type of antic many, many times in the locker room and on the field.

There will be critics of what I write and I'll be called a player hater. Not at all, it's just that I've seen his schtick too many times before, including at a couple of Pro Bowl games (which everyone knows is packed with emotion).

Posted at 9:53PM on Aug 5th 2007 by Say What!

2. Mike missed a few brief words that would have been more appropriate.

Here they are:

"I am totally ashamed of the life that I lead while playing for the Cowboys. I was niether and example for the youth of America or a good teamate for other Cowboys.

I realize that only because I am a high profile celebrity living off my old "pimp daddy" style, with decent stats, NOT GREAT JUST DECENT, and dady Jerry'$ influence did I make it in.

I can only hope that the voters will come to their senses and finally vote my idol ART MONK into the Hall of Fame. I only wish that I would have devouted my to being like ART MONK both on and off the field."

Boycott the HOF untill Monk is voted in.

Posted at 9:53PM on Aug 5th 2007 by inlandvalleywild

3. HEY GUYS EVER HEARD OF REPENT.........GIVE MIKE A BREAK,I MYSELF THINK MIKE WAS SINCERE ABOUT HIS SPEECH HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WAS INDUCTED WHO DID NOT READ FROM A PEICE OF PAPER,EVERYTHING MIKE HAD TO SAY CAME FROM HIS HEART.....REMEMBER BACK IN THE 90'S HE WAS ONE OF THE TRIPLET'S WHO TOOK THE COWGURL'S TO THE SUPER BOWL FOUR TIME.YES I SAID COWGURLS BECAUSE I AM NOT A FAN OF THE COWBOYS AND I AM FROM FORT WORTH BUT I DO BELEIVE IN REPENTNESS AND SO SHOULD EVERY ONE OF YOU......SO COME ON GUY GIVE THIS MAN A BREAK,FOR THE LOVE OF GOD......ALREADY

Posted at 12:57AM on Aug 6th 2007 by Peaches

4. Michael Irvin if I produced your Hall of Fame video I would put as background music Perry Como's song "Somebody Up There Like Me." or Frank Sinatra's "My Way." You deserved to be in the Hall of Fame despite your off field troubles. Comes with the territory of being on America's Team with apologizes to New Orleans Saints fans.

Posted at 1:09AM on Aug 6th 2007 by George B Vieto

5. Hey, those of you who were not inspired by Irvin's speech I would assume have a half empty cup. He more than one time mentioned his transgressions, in fact that is why his speech has garnered so much publicity. He also mentioned how he is ashamed that he can't ask his kids to do it the way he did, he tells them to look up to other greats like Reggie White and Troy Aikman. You can dislike Michael Irvin, but you cannot deny that he was one of a kind on the football field, every coach loved him and every player wanted to be like him. It is easy for those of us whose life is not under a microscope to point out the flaws of those who are, but I would challenge any of you to open your life up to the same scrutiny...

Posted at 1:45AM on Aug 6th 2007 by Joe

6. No matter what, a person can't do good enough for you punk-ass self-righteous, holier-than-thou types who are too sanctified to remember forgivieness and repentance.

TOO BAD! You are the ones who lose out in the end! Your words will not hurt a man with college and pro champioship rings, plus the adoration of fans all over the country. Jealousy sure is painful!

Posted at 2:20AM on Aug 6th 2007 by TELL THE TRUTH!

7. I respect him as a player..I hope he gets it together in his life..but I wont hold my breath

Posted at 4:52AM on Aug 6th 2007 by carl

8. Jerry Jones lobbied for the guy to get to the Hall of Fame. He skipped a lot of players who have better statistics. That Cowboy team has had players with serious drug abuse issues. Irving is one of many. He is addicted to drugs. He could not keep his act together when he tried sportscasting. What a shame. That crying is what addicts do thinking they are fooling or using somebody. Complete manipulation. Where is T.D. Jakes and God when he is hitting that crack pipe? And having a friends dope in his car and he has drug issues, Right. This might not be a good thing(L.Taylor).

Posted at 5:10AM on Aug 6th 2007 by Andi

9. I remember Hollywood Henderson saying that a football player hurts from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. And he also said no over the counter pain medication can stop that pain(Aspirin). Football hurts a person. Look at how bad they go down after they stop playing. I think steroids, prescribed pain medication and illegal drugs are part of the football culture. Dallas and Sports has history with steroid and drugs. Irvin could not handle the situation and he lost. It's not over. Addicts manipulate well to include crying.

Posted at 5:11AM on Aug 6th 2007 by Andi

10. No one is jealous of Irvin. Nobody wants their Hotel life or their drug life on National TV. And not one time but many times over. His addiction took over his life. That Dallas team has had many nasty incidents. Ladies dying on Dorsett. Nate Newton with a Van full of weed. The old Cowboys stayed in trouble. Irvin and a degree? Not in Sportscasting. More like Stupidity. Emmitt and Stackhouse went back to finish degrees. Next you will be telling us the Blades Brother got degrees in Kill a relative-ology.

Posted at 5:53AM on Aug 6th 2007 by Andi

11. I believe everyone deserves a second chance but not a third, fourth, or fifth.

Irvin was a great player but certainly not a role model for kids or grown ups.

I hope he gets his life together because I kind of liked him on ESPN.

Posted at 6:33AM on Aug 6th 2007 by badgolfer78

12. Michael's speech was the single best HOF induction speech I have heard. Period, any sport. Alot of people wanted Michael to tell the world that he was a womanizer, a drug addict, and a bad father. He did not do that, and because he did not people are upset. It was proven that this man has lived less than a good normral life, he let us into his personal life through his speech. He was truly hurting, and unselfishly took the moment in his life, when he was being patted on his back by the world, and unselfishly addressed his demons in a quiet and humble way. The Playmaker made a huge play for his family, way to go 88. If the rest of us won't forgive him for his lifestyle, it is apparent that he has a relationship with a man that can fix everything . THE LORD AND OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

Posted at 7:46AM on Aug 6th 2007 by Troy Jones

13. I thought the speech was superb. He opened with a prayer. Gave credit to his teammates and trainers. Thanked his wife and kids for their forgiveness. He was humble, what more do you want?

To suggest that his tears were not genuine, is bull shit. The guy spoke for 20 emotional minutes without notes and he spoke from his heart. His voice cracking when he spoke to his wife, and to his sons. What more do you want from the guy, none of us can turn the clock back!

Posted at 11:13AM on Aug 6th 2007 by Barabbas

14. MICHEAL WAS THE BOMB!!!!!!!!!

THAT SPEECH HAD EVERYTHING. HIS LIFE WAS (IS) FASCINATING!!!!!!

CAN YOU IMAGINE BEING HIM?????

WHAT A DUDE, AND A MAN OF GOD.

YOU SATANS NEED TO BACK UP!!!!!!

BACK UP I SAY......BACK UP

Posted at 2:10PM on Aug 6th 2007 by Buster

15. Too many people forget Jesus said we need to forgive 70X7. No just once once and not just twice. If he faked it,it was between him and his God. Who am I to toss the first stone.It was moving and worth listening to no matter what.I'm not a Cowboy fan . I'm Steeler black and gold thru and thru. Those of you who want to boycott the HOF until Monk gets in I would ask you "should I have done the same until Lynn Swann got in. Being female and 74 years old, I've seen a lot of good ones come and go.Enjoy the game and enjoy when someone gets recognized. Don't throw water on their parade.It may rain on you someday.

Posted at 3:45PM on Aug 6th 2007 by Siebieda

16. Irvins speech was great. I hope Art Monk and Andre Reed DVR'd it. Lawlz.

Jerry Jones put it best: The Cowboys offense was not designed for WR's putting up big stats or Aikman throwing for 300+ yrds. Yet Irvin put up big numbers and was the leader of the team.

Michael Irvin will always be remembered for a guy who won a National Championship in college, 3 Superbowl Rings in the NFL and now enshrined as one of the best to every play the game. Eat it, redskin fan. Every time Michael Irvin smiles, Darrell Green dies a little bit.

Posted at 6:37PM on Aug 6th 2007 by mattbaha

17. You know for every person that has a negative word for Mr. Irvin's speech....Please go into your bathroom and look in the mirror...If you are perfect enough to look into your own eyes and know in your hearts of hearts you have never done any wrong....then please by all means critize the man...but I will bet my life that there is not a man or women alive that can...Even Jesus Christ himself had to repent on the cross....I a dire hard Redskin fan...I know hard these days! As much as I dislike the Cowboys...I always respected the man for the way he played the game...Always left in on the field. None of my business what he did when he went home. He's the one that has to live and deal with his life. Not me or you. A MAN is somebody that can come to the table...confess his wrongs and take responsiblity and punishement like a man. He has done that time and time again in my eyes..He's human... we are imperfect beings. So..look up...get up and some of you shut up! Peace and Love

Posted at 1:35AM on Aug 7th 2007 by David Zim

18. he deserves an Emmy. I don't buy anything and agree completely with "Say What"

A True Hall of Famer in any sport is someone who defines the sport through performance, class and character.

Posted at 8:00AM on Aug 7th 2007 by candy

19. Can anyone help me with something Michael said during his speech? All I can remember was it was something that meant...May God hold you until we see each other again. It was one word and I wanted to use the term but for the life of me I can't remember what it was. Aside from that, Michael earned his spot in the Hall of Fame on the football field. As a lifelong Cowboy fan, I couldn't be happier that he made it.

Posted at 1:44PM on Aug 7th 2007 by Becky

20. Two words: Art Monk.

Posted at 1:58PM on Aug 7th 2007 by Panger