CARDS: Pro Set 1989, Pacific 1991
ACQUIRED: IP, 2011 Christian Okoye Foundation Event
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
- A speed merchant out of Kansas, LeRoy Irvin was drafted in the the 3rd round of the 1980 draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
- The team would stick him at cornerback and also at punt returner.
- In 1981, he set the NFL record for most punt return yards in a single game with 204 yards against the Atlanta Falcons.
- Led the league with 615 in punt return yards, a 13.4 yard average, and 3 punt returns for touchdowns.
- Incorporated more in the secondary in 1983 and started over 10 games for the first time in his career.
- With the addition of Jerry Gray in 1985, Irvin and Gray would form one of the most formidable cornerback duos in the league.
- Signed with the Detroit Lions after the 1989 season.
- Retired after his lone 1990 campaign in Detroit, adding an additional pick to his resume.
- Played in 159 contests, starting 123.
- Besides playing football and coaching LeRoy worked in the mortgage industry and started his own line of NFL merchandise.
ACCOLADES:
- All Pro 1981, ’82, ’85, ’86
- Pro Bowl 1985, ’86
NOTES:
I had 3-4 of LeRoy’s cards sitting in my box to send out, so when I went to the Foundation Camp hosted by Christian Okoye and LeRoy showed up, I recognized him immediately from the cards I had of him. Hedging my bets, I just packed all the boxes of cards the night before I left to go to the camp, so I was able to easily track down LeRoy’s cards in the box I had. I watched him conduct defensive back drills with the kids, while he slightly embarrassed his son who was there in attendance also as a participant. The other players also heckled him, because apparently he’s quite the ladies man.
After practice was over, the players signed autographs for the kids. LeRoy was kind enough to ink these two cards for me. He was impressed that I had a card with him in his Detroit Lions uniform, as he played there for one season in 1990 at the end of his career. When asked by another fan which team was better, LeRoy quickly responded that he played for the Los Angeles Rams for 10 seasons, so he was sure that the Rams were the better franchise, than playing for the Lions for that single season.
Unfortunately for the makers of Tecmo Super Bowl, they were not aware of Irvin’s tremendous speed or previous seasons, hence the programming gods, looked poorly upon Irvin and made him one of the worst starting defensive backs in the game.
LeRoy was a solid DB who got little credit for his abilities. With 35 picks to his resume, it’s fair to assume that as his numbers trailed off, he was also an accomplished pass deflector/ defender as well. If you’re a football historian and you don’t give him his laurels or recognize his name, then you are just a casual.
LeRoy was a pretty solid TTM signer throughout his post-playing career and was very generous to fans, and in volunteering his time in football camps.
| TAC | SAC | FUM | INT | YDS | AVG | TD | LG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 530 | 1.5 | 18 | 35 | 676 | 19.5 | 5 | 81t |
| PR | YDS | AVG | TD | LG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 147 | 1457 | 9.9 | 4 | 84t |
EPITAPH:
7/2/26- According to good friend, and ex-teammate Eric Dickerson, LeRoy Irvin passed away recently at the age of 67, due to throat cancer.
“LeRoy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy,” Dickerson said. “Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation.”