LeRoy Irvin, a first-team All-Pro at both cornerback and punt returner with the Rams in the 1980s, has died at the age of 68.
The Rams announced Irvin’s death today, and among those remembering him are former teammate Eric Dickerson, who posted about him on social media this morning.
“Devastated to hear about the passing of my brother, teammate, and Rams legend Leroy Irvin. Leroy wasn’t just a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor on the field; he was a true friend and a great man who always brought incredible energy. Rest in peace, my brother. Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Irvin family and all of Rams Nation,” Dickerson wrote.
Irvin had punt return touchdowns of 75 yards and 84 yards in a 37-35 Rams victory over the Falcons in 1981, and his total of 207 punt return yards in that game is the NFL’s all-time record.
One of Irvin’s most memorable plays was a 94-yard interception return in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ 24-17 win over the Cowboys in the 1983 playoffs.
Irvin was chosen as the NFL’s first-team All-Pro punt returner that season, and was a first-team All-Pro cornerback in 1986.
The Rams took Irvin out of Kansas in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft, and he played with them through 1989. He finished his career with one season on the Lions in 1990.
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