Why is Michael Irvin’s number not retired? What injury ended Michael Irvin’s career?

Michael Jerome Irvin (born March 5, 1966) is an American sports commentator and former NFL wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys (NFL). In 2007, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Irvin attended the University of Miami and was drafted in the first round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He played his entire 12-year National Football League (NFL) career (1988-1999) with the Cowboys before suffering a cervical spine injury in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Veterans Stadium on October 10, 1999.

Irvin also played a key role in the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XXVIII (1994) and XXX (1996) victories, recording five receptions for 66 yards in the first and five receptions for 76 yards in the second.

His best season came in 1995 when he set franchise records for receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,603) while also scoring 10 touchdowns and setting an NFL record with 11 games with 100 yards or more. He had seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game, helping the Cowboys win their third Super Bowl in four seasons.

Irvin is the only player to have played for each of the Cowboys’ first four coaches since Jerry Jones purchased the team (Landry, Johnson, Barry Switzer, and Chan Gailey). Irvin officially announced his retirement after Dave Campo became the Cowboys’ fifth coach, but he never played for Campo.

Why is Michael Irvin’s number not retired?

Rather than retiring Michael Irvin’s jersey, the Dallas Cowboys keep No. 88 in circulation as a symbol of wide receiver honor. Irvin joined Drew Pearson as the second Cowboys wide receiver to wear No. 88 and be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

What injury ended Michael Irvin’s career?

That season, he did not play again. Later, he was diagnosed with cervical spinal stenosis. After being advised that another blow to the neck or head would put him at greater risk of injury, he announced his retirement in May 2000. Irvin was the final player coached by Tom Landry to retire from the NFL.