Hall of Famer Michael Irvin 'baffled' as NFL Network removes him from Super Bowl coverage after complaint


Hall of Famer Michael Irvin will not be seen on the NFL Network airwaves for the remainder of Super Bowl week after a woman filed a complaint against him.

A woman said she had an inappropriate encounter with the former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona, near the site of the Super Bowl. The woman’s identity was not released due to privacy concerns.

Irvin told the Dallas Morning News the interaction with the woman was brief, public and largely non-physical.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Michael Irvin attends the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala on Aug. 19, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California.

Michael Irvin attends the Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala on Aug. 19, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California. (Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Irvin acknowledged that he shook the woman’s hand before they went their separate ways.

“Michael Irvin will not be a part of NFL Network’s Super Bowl LVII week coverage,” Alex Riethmiller, NFL Media vice president of communications, said in a statement.

CHIEFS’ ANDY REID REVEALS THREE INTERESTING KEYS TO LIVE BY AHEAD OF SUPER BOWL LVII

In a phone interview with The Dallas Morning News, Irvin noted that the interaction happened after dinner and drinks with former NFL player Michael Brooks.

The NFL Network analyst then went back to his hotel and at some point started a conversation with a woman in the lobby.

“Honestly, I’m a bit baffled with it all,” Irvin said. “This all happened in a 45-second conversation in the lobby. When I got back after going out… I came into the lobby, and I talked to somebody. I talked to this girl. I don’t know her, and I talked to her for about 45 seconds.

“We shook hands. Then, I left… That’s all I know.”

Irvin added that he could not remember what exactly their conversation entailed, but he doubled down on his stance that he did not have inappropriate physical contact with the woman.

“I don’t really recall that conversation, to tell you the truth,” Irvin said. “We were out drinking. It was just a friendly conversation. ‘What’s up?’ I don’t even know.… I am totally perplexed.”

Michael Irvin of NFL Network during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Michael Irvin of NFL Network during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 3, 2022, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Irvin hinted that the hotel has surveillance video, although he has not seen the footage.

The 56-year-old participated in the NFL Network’s “Super Bowl Opening Night” coverage and interviewed Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

PATRICK MAHOMES WINNING SECOND SUPER BOWL WOULD IGNITE TOM BRADY COMPARISONS, EX-CHIEFS STAR SAYS 

Local law enforcement agencies said Tuesday they have no knowledge of any incident involving Irvin. Meanwhile, Irvin claimed there “absolutely was no sexual wrongdoing.”

Michael Irvin watches the game between the Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on Oct. 3, 2019, in Seattle, Washington.

Michael Irvin watches the game between the Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on Oct. 3, 2019, in Seattle, Washington. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

“What law did I break?” Irvin said. “There was definitely nothing physical.… That’s honestly all that happened. Nobody was in my room. It was a 45-second conversation in the lobby, a handshake and we left.… I don’t know. I don’t know what this is, and it’s running me crazy.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In addition to his duties with the NFL Network, Irvin also routinely appears on ESPN. On Monday, ESPN issued a release that showed Irvin was scheduled to appear on “First Take” on Feb. 10.

A spokesperson for ESPN declined to comment to the paper on whether Irvin would still make his scheduled appearance on Friday.

The details of the woman’s complaint were not released.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.