Former NFL cornerback LeRoy Irvin, a two-time All-Pro with the Los Angeles Rams, has died at the age of 68, the team announced Thursday.
Irvin was a fixture for the Rams in the 1980s, first making his impact as a tight end before emerging as a starting corner. He combined for four touchdowns on punt returns and added six more on defense, with 35 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and 13 fumble recoveries in his 11-year career.
Irvin’s former Rams teammate Eric Dickerson posted a tribute to him on Instagram Thursday.
“Sad to hear of the passing of my brother, teammate and Rams legend Leroy Irvin,” Dickerson’s post read. “Leroy wasn’t just a cornerback and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always carried an incredible energy with him. Rest in peace my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation.”
A 1980 third-round pick out of Kansas, Irvin was recognized as an All-Pro returner in his second season after posting 615 punt return yards with three scores and a league-leading 13.4 yards per return average. He also set an NFL singles record that still stands in Week 6 that season with 207 punt returns against the Atlanta Falcons.
Although the Rams used him sparingly in the comeback game that began in 1984, Irvin remained a threat at home at cornerback, stealing possessions from opponents and adding points to the scoreboard with unusual regularity. From 1984-87, he scored at least once on defense every season and found the end zone twice in both ’84 and ’86.
In that four-year span, he made two Pro Bowls and again was recognized as an All-Pro, but as a cornerback rather than a running back.
Irvin originally joined the Rams during the final season of LA’s eight-year playoff run, and while the next decade wasn’t as successful as the last, he helped the team maintain its place as a consistent contender. The Rams and Irvin made seven playoff appearances together and reached the NFC Championship Game in both 1985 and 1989.
Irvin added four more picks and two forced fumbles in the postseason, including an interception he returned 94 yards to help the Rams to a 1983 wild-card victory over the Dallas Cowboys.
After 10 years with the Rams, Irvin played with the Detroit Lions in 1990, his final season in the NFL.