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Thursday, June 5, 1997

Even without the flash, Irvin still an attention-getter

By JAIME ARON AP Sports Writer

FARMERS BRANCH, Texas (AP) - Michael Irvin sat with his arms folded on a table, his body slumped over. He wasn't decked out in flashy clothes, his glasses weren't tinted and his only jewelry was a simple diamond stud earring. His usually boisterous voice was practically monotone.

His message, however, was as attention-grabbing as ever.

Irvin said Wednesday he's considering retiring from football because he no longer loves the game, and that he's joining teammate Erik Williams in two lawsuits stemming from fake rape allegations against them.

The former All-Pro receiver said he's been thinking about shaking up his career since January. He told Cowboys owner Jerry Jones he'd like to be traded, but Jones said he couldn't because of the salary cap.

That leaves Irvin with two choices: walking away from the team and about $5.5 million in salary, or returning to seek a fourth Super Bowl.

"I honestly don't know exactly what I'm going to do," Irvin said. "I am not the most talented person in the world. I played my game with intensity and with emotion and that made the difference in my ability to play. Right now, I just don't have that intensity and emotion about the game. I don't have that love that I used to have about the game."

When Irvin didn't show up for the beginning of quarterback school Monday - after he also missed a minicamp in April - teammates Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith said they want to know what Irvin's plans are.

"As soon as I know, they'll know," Irvin said. "I understand what they're saying, but I don't think they understand the whole situation. I don't feel I'm any good to myself right now. I would be more of a hindrance than a help."

Irvin has tried avoiding the spotlight since former topless dancer Nina Shahravan recanted a rape allegation against him and Williams in January. Shahravan faces trial next month on a perjury charge.

Williams filed a federal lawsuit accusing Dallas police of violating his civil rights and a state case charging that he was defamed by TV station KXAS, which first reported the story, and one of its reporters.

On Wednesday, attorney Peter Ginsberg said Irvin will join the lawsuits, both of which seek unspecified damages.

"The station is obviously disappointed that Mr. Irvin would put his reputation at issue in this way," said Chip Babcock, an attorney for KXAS. "We will vigorously defend ourselves in the case and will pursue the case aggressively."

City attorney Sam Lindsay could not immediately be reached for comment.

Irvin said he "truly didn't want to get involved," but decided he had to after it was reported he was avoiding a subpoena, something he said was completely false.

Irvin said he should've spoken up sooner about the subpoena issue, and vowed to respond more quickly when other situations come up.

"I would hope I could go on and live my life and not answer to everybody all the time about what's going on, but I know that's not my reality anymore," Irvin said.

"What I want to do is get the truth out about everything. I've kind of been saying, 'OK, I'll move on, maybe it'll blow over.' It hasn't and don't seem like it ever will."

Irvin's life took a turn for the worse about 15 months ago when a police raid of a motel room found him and a friend with two topless dancers and drugs.

The receiver later pleaded no contest to a felony cocaine possession charge and is serving 800 hours of community service as part of his probation. He also was fined $10,000, and the NFL suspended him for five games last season.

Irvin said Wednesday he's still performing the community service, meeting weekly with his probation officer and a psychologist, and undergoing up to five drug tests a week from the NFL. He and wife Sandy also recently had a son - Michael Jerome Irvin Jr.

"All I really wanted is to go back and find my life," Irvin said. "I wanted to go back and find that happy man who played the game with the intensity and emotions I had. It's been truly hard to find."