Emmit Smith, the well liked and respected former running back from the Dallas Cowboys, is risking his reputation for an old teammate. Smith believes that Michael Irvin’s personal issues are being held against him for entry into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. He is exactly right!
I’m not sure when the retired players started this theory that only what you do on the football field matters. I believe the Hall of Fame is for great players that were talented and respected football and what it stands for. I don’t believe using your money for drugs and crimes falls under that category. If Emmit is asking us to forgive Irvin, I’m all for it, but he shouldn’t be put in the same Hall with the likes of Jerry Rice. I’m a firm believer that Football is not just played between the lines. I know that my professional career isn’t just judged between the walls. I think I would be on the streets pretty fast for a felony or some type of assault charge. And, I wouldn’t have millions of dollars to fall back on. Recently, Michael Irvin found himself in another “wrong place, wrong time” situation, again pleading he was doing the right thing. The NFL forgave him and he’s back on T.V. I think Irvin should count his blessings and his money and hope “THE U” (Miami University) honors him, because if it was up to me, Pete Rose would get into baseball’s Hall of Fame before Michael got on the first step of football’s Hall of Fame.
