Michael Irvin still appearing on ESPN

[Nick]

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin said Sunday night that a drug pipe police found in his car belonged to a longtime friend whom he's trying to help recover from an addiction.

Irvin, an ESPN studio analyst and semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his vehicle during a traffic stop Friday.

Irvin told The Associated Press late Sunday the pipe belonged to a friend of 17 years who left a Houston rehab center and came to Irvin's house in Carrollton for Thanksgiving. Irvin wouldn't reveal his friend's name.

ESPN said it has spoken to Irvin, who will still appear on the network Monday as an analyst.

"We've talked to Michael, who explained the situation to us the way he did to the AP, and we will continue to talk with Michael," ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said. "But you can expect him to see him on 'Monday Night Countdown' on Monday evening."

So let me get this straight.

Rush Limbaugh "resigns" from his position on ESPN after stating an opinion that Donvan McNabb got too much credit for the success of the Eagles because the media wanted to see a black quarterback do well. I repeat, stating an opinion.

ESPN cancels the fictional pro football drama "Playmakers" in part because the NFL was not pleased with how professional football players were represented, taking part in such activities as drug use. I repeat, not pleased in having players represented as taking part in drug use.

But ESPN is going to not only retain Michael Irvin but continue to keep him on their programs, despite the fact that he was arrested for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Am I the only one who is raising an eyebrow at all this?

[AvengerRam]

What's a little crack pipe to the Evil Satanic Propaganda Network?

[ramsbruce]

So let me get this straight.

Rush Limbaugh "resigns" from his position on ESPN after stating an opinion that Donvan McNabb got too much credit for the success of the Eagles because the media wanted to see a black quarterback do well. I repeat, stating an opinion.

ESPN cancels the fictional pro football drama "Playmakers" in part because the NFL was not pleased with how professional football players were represented, taking part in such activities as drug use. I repeat, not pleased in having players represented as taking part in drug use.

But ESPN is going to not only retain Michael Irvin but continue to keep him on their programs, despite the fact that he was arrested for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Am I the only one who is raising an eyebrow at all this?

My eyebrow is up Nick.

[ramsbruce]

ESPN giving Irvin the benefit of the doubt, no surprise there really.


He's guilty and we all know it. How do you FORGET about a crack pipe, cmon be serious. LOL

[Nick]

The Smoking Gun is reporting that he told the arresting officers that the pipe belonged to his brother, yet his statement later said it was a friend who was trying to recover. Interesting.

[r8rh8rmike]

Irvin told The Associated Press late Sunday the pipe belonged to a friend of 17 years who left a Houston rehab center and came to Irvin's house in Carrollton for Thanksgiving.

Hey, that's one hell of a rehab center.

How do you FORGET about a crack pipe, cmon be serious.

Come on, it's not like he's had any drug problems, run-ins with the law or close friends on crack to help remind him that the last thing he needs is to get caught with drug paraphernalia in his car (which he obviously doesn't operate very well).

[Curly Horns]

Rush is fat, obnoxious, and had a med(drug) problem, however, Irvin is not fat.

[HUbison]

It doesn't surprise me at all. Limbaugh could have said he thinks black licorice is overrated as a candy, and they would have tossed him. Irvin on the other hand, could smoke crack ON-AIR and ESPN would keep him around.

[AvengerRam]

Irvin and Limbaugh have this in common...

Neither should have been hired in the first place.

[RealRam]

...But you can expect him to see him on 'Monday Night Countdown' on Monday evening.

No, no, no, I don't wan't to see him on... wherever!

:tut What a disgrace. Never liked him, on or off the field.

[txramsfan]

If I'm not mistaken, this is America right? Innocent until proven guilty?

[HUbison]

If I'm not mistaken, this is America right? Innocent until proven guilty?

In the American criminal judicial system, that's true, however the court of public opinion works a little quicker.

[txramsfan]

and I'm very thankful for that justice system.....as most of the time the lynch mob public has a tendency to be wrong.

[Nick]

If I'm not mistaken, this is America right? Innocent until proven guilty?

For me, this isn't the issue. It's the league's and ESPN's hypocrisy in removing such things as Limbaugh (who merely expressed a questionable opinion) and "Playmakers" (because of poor association due to player drug use) yet keeping Irvin on air in the midst of a drug arrest.

[Curly Horns]

Then there is the case of letting Ricky Williams and Jamal Lewis back on the field.

Trouble is, one case does not necessarily have anything to do with the other.

Rush and Playmakers were in poor taste.

Irvin on the air period, regardless of recent and past drug discretions, is poor taste.

Drugs are the dirty little secret of the NFL.