Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin Gets Four-Year Probation

Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin, who became the face of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s, loved the high of winning big games. He would go out of his way to try and replicate that thrill off the field.

In the 1990s, Irvin established himself as one of the NFL’s premier receivers, racking up 1,000 yards in all but one year. He also became the first player in NFL history to record seven 100-yard games. He was a major reason for the Cowboys’ unprecedented run of Super Bowl wins in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

But Irvin’s partying lifestyle came to a screeching halt in March 1996. Irving police responded to a report of a loud party at a motel and found marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia in a room that Irvin and his teammate Alfredo Roberts were staying in.

Irvin was arrested and charged with second-degree felony cocaine possession, which carried a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. He cut short a trial in mid-July by pleading no contest to the charge, which meant he didn’t have to go to jail and could return to play football.

After his no-contest plea Monday, Irvin was formally sentenced in court to four years’ deferred probation and a $10,000 fine. He will also have to complete 800 hours of community service and will be subject to the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Under the NFL’s policy, first-time offenders can receive up to a four-game suspension during the regular season.