Pro Football Rumors
The Rams announced on Thursday that former cornerback LeRoy Irvin has died. He was 68.
A third-round pick in 1980, Irvin wound up serving as a mainstay on the Rams’ defense for a decade. He spent each of his first 10 NFL seasons in Los Angeles before being cut in April 1990. That was followed by a one-year Lions stint to end his career.
Irvin was not a full-time starting presence during his rookie season, but he still managed to make an immediate impact with respect to ball production (two interceptions, two forced fumbles). That remained a constant throughout his career; Irvin posted at least one interception in 10 of his 11 NFL campaigns, racking up a total of 35. He added 10 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries along the way.
Strong defensive play led to many of Irvin’s numerous accolades, but he was also a highly impactful presence in the return game. The Kansas product led the NFL in punt return yards in 1981, posting 207 during a single game against the Falcons. That remains an all-time league record to this day. Irvin earned first-team All-Pro honors in 1981 for his special teams success, an achievement he would repeat 1985 and again in ’86 (doing so as one of the few players to receive the honor at two different positions).
Through much of his Rams tenure, Irvin was a productive figure in the secondary in addition to his success as a returner. He collected two Pro Bowl nods (1985-86), receiving a second-team All-Pro nod in the first year of that period. Irvin also worked as a full-time starter during his one-and-done Detroit campaign. In all, he played 170 combined regular and postseason NFL games, going to the playoffs seven times as a member of the Rams.
Irvin and a number of his former teammates founded a company called Original Minis which was licensed to sell NFL memorabilia. He departed the business in 2019.
