Michael Irvin Keeps It Raw on Pacman Jones’ Show, Shares Stories on Cowboys, Draft Day and Deion Sanders

Irvin also revisited his path to the NFL, including his calculated approach to the draft. After graduating early from the University of Miami, he sought to control where he would land, narrowing his preferred destinations to a handful of marquee markets.

“I only wanted to play in New York, L.A. or for the Dallas Cowboys,” Irvin said.

He revealed that the Green Bay Packers had interest in selecting him with the seventh overall pick, but he declined the opportunity. Instead, a conversation with Johnson ultimately steered him toward Dallas.

“Jimmy came to me and said, ‘Dallas is going to draft you…because I’m going to be joining you next year. I’ve got a buddy of mine who’s about to buy the Dallas Cowboys,’” Irvin recalled.

Irvin went on to become a cornerstone of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s, winning three Super Bowl titles and cementing his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats.

The episode also featured an appearance by Deion Sanders, adding another layer of nostalgia and insight. Irvin spoke glowingly of Sanders’ influence, describing him as a “big brother” and “father figure” to teammates, while the two reminisced about their battles on the field — including matchups as both teammates and opponents.

Among other stories shared, Jones recounted getting a tattoo in a hospital while waiting for Sanders to emerge from surgery, while Irvin discussed recruiting Sanders to Dallas and their intense practice sessions together.

Irvin also turned his attention to the present, offering advice to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones ahead of the NFL Draft. He said he has been urging the team to select defensive linemen out of Miami, pointing to the program’s continued rise as a pipeline for elite talent.

The wide-ranging interview blended humor, honesty and reflection — a reminder of Irvin’s enduring personality and the larger-than-life stories that defined one of the NFL’s most memorable eras.