AUSTIN (AP) - Watching the fan reception for Deion Sanders on the first
day of Dallas Cowboys training camp, it makes one wonder why Michael Irvin
couldn't do things Deion's way.
Or Emmitt Smith's way.
Or Troy Aikman's way.
Or Darryl Johnston's way.
Irvin had a chance to be the most popular Cowboy in the club's history.
With his flamboyant personality and ability to back up his talk with wondrous
plays afield, he had the key to Dallas.
Now, because he didn't watch who he kept company with and because of the
illegal substances he couldn't leave alone, Irvin stands to be remembered
as a loser.
It would be difficult to put a figure on the endorsements Irvin has cost
himself. It's certainly well over a million bucks and counting. What company
could take a chance on him now? Would they risk future embarrassment? It's
not a gamble the public relations department of any company is willing to
take.
And what about the Professional Football Hall of Fame?. Voters into that
facility don't have much of a sense of humor when it comes to voting in
players with stained reputations.
If Bob Hayes can't get there, what makes Irvin think he has a chance? Hayes
was the reason pro football coaches invented zone defenses. Yet, Hayes might
not ever make it because of his drug conviction.
It could have been so different for Irvin, who had 111 catches last year.
He's got Super Bowl rings and club records for the Cowboys.
If only he had followed the lead of Sanders and Smith, both astute businessmen
who refused to be surrounded by questionable characters. They don't drink
anything stronger than coffee or Powerade.
If Irvin could have only been there for the opening of training camp when
the crowd at St. Edward's University shouted "Deion, Deion, Deion"
after the first practice.
Sanders is the unquestionable fan star of the Cowboys now. He had the good
sense to wade into the fans and give them autograph after autograph. Then
he drove off with Smith as a passenger in his sleek black Mercedes golf
cart with stereo.
Of course, Irvin isn't the only Cowboy who found himself on the wrong side
of the public relations tracks.
Duane Thomas, Hollywood Henderson, Lance Rentzel and John Niland have been
big name Cowboys to stumble in the past.
But none has as much going for them as the flashy Irvin, who should have
absorbed something by osmosis being in the same lockerroom with Sanders
and Smith.
Smith has always made himself available for interviews and therefore the
media seldom misunderstands where he is coming from.
Irvin has always been a little bit on the mysterious side. He could be friendly.
Then he could launch into garbage can throwing rages. Or shouting expletives
on national television after playoff victories.
There was always something not quite right with Irvin.
Now we know what it was.
Everyone pulls for him to find himself and eventually be like Deion or be
like Emmitt or be like Troy.
Unfortunately, there has been damage done to his image and reputation that
can never be fixed.