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Friday, July 25, 1997

Aikman helps Michael Irvin get Logo Athletic endorsement

DALLAS (AP) - Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin has a new endorsement deal with a sports apparel company, thanks to quarterback Troy Aikman.

Irvin will endorse products of Logo Athletic.

Irvin had lost several lucrative endorsement deals following his no contest plea last April to a cocaine possession charge and his subsequent five-game suspension by the National Football League.

He also was the target of a murder-for-hire plot and was accused of sexual assault by a topless dancer who later recanted the accusation.

Terms of the endorsement agreement have not been announced.

It was announced on Thursday, one day after it was disclosed that Irvin and teammate Erik Williams settled a lawsuit they filed against KXAS-TV, a Dallas-area television station.

The station settled for $1.1 million each in connection with the station's coverage of the sexual assault allegations.

"I view the Logo Athletic deal as a sign that some people are telling me they believe in people. They're saying they believe things happen in life and things go wrong off the field but that some companies will still take a chance on you, and I truly appreciate it," Irvin said.

"When things get better, you look back and see that first company that stepped back with you, and you'll remember them just like I remember Nike for sticking with me."

Aikman, one of the leading spokesmen for Logo Athletic, is involved in the company's advertising and marketing.

Aikman declined to comment on Irvin's deal with the company.

The Dallas quarterback also has personal relationships with several of the company's top officials, said Eddie White, a spokesman for Logo Athletic.

"Troy Aikman means a lot to this company, and when he talks, we listen," White said. "Troy said he had a friend who was looking for something, and we decided to look into the situation."

"Michael Irvin is one of the greatest receivers in football, and between the white lines, he has been a great competitor," White added.

Irvin acknowledged getting some help from Aikman.

"Troy had a lot to do with this, and I've thanked him and told him that I appreciate it," Irvin told The Dallas Morning News.