Athletes and Guns
Hall of Famer Michael Irvin had a scary incident on a Dallas street, as a car pulled up to him and flashed a gun before realizing it was the ex-Cowboys great. Click through for more athletes who found themselves in scary situations with guns.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
Giants receiver Steve Smith reportedly was robbed on Nov. 25 at his home in a gated community in New Jersey.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images
Rashard Mendenhall, who was the Steelers' first pick in this year's draft, reportedly was robbed at gunpoint in Chicago.
Keith Srakocic, AP
Soccer legend Johan Cruyff revealed in a radio interview that he was the victim of a failed kidnap attempt prior to the 1978 World Cup.
Andrew Redington, Getty Images
Tennis player Anna Chakvetadze was tied up and robbed by six masked men at her home in December 2007. The burglars, who had at least one pistol, left with over $300,000 worth of goods and cash.
Thomas Kienzle, AP
Shelden Williams, who now plays for the Kings, was carjacked at gunpoint before a Hawks-Bobcats game in December 2007.
Fernando Medina, NBAE / Getty Images
Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson was the victim of a home invasion in September 2007 and was robbed of several pieces of jewelry at gunpoint.
Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
In July 2007, NBA forward Antoine Walker was held at gunpoint and robbed at his own home in Chicago. The assailants made off with close to $200,000 worth of merchandise, including Walker's Mercedes.
Rocky Widner, NBAE / Getty Images
Just 19 days after Walker was victimized, Knicks center Eddy Curry was held at gunpoint and robbed in his Chicago home. Two of the men charged in the robbery of Curry were also linked to the Walker case.
Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE / Getty Images
Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle was shot in the stomach by armed robbers after handing over his watch in July 2005.
Brian Killian, WireImage.com
Irvin, who's obviously still wildly popular in the area, did the same, presumably thinking the guy wanted to talk football, or, at worst, would ask for an autograph. Um, not quite:
Irvin put down his window ... and saw the passenger in the other vehicle raise a gun, the [police] report said. Irvin said in an interview Tuesday night that he feared the men had planned to rob him and changed their minds when they saw who he was.It's probably a good thing no one on the current roster was in the car with Irvin or things could've taken a turn for the worse. In all seriousness, I'm glad Irvin was able to talk his way out of a potentially dangerous situation; I'm pretty sure I would have just soiled myself and passed out.
"The passenger pulled out a semiautomatic and I knew what time it was," Irvin said. "But he said 'Oh, that's Michael Irvin, with the Dallas Cowboys.'"
Despite being scared, Irvin said he tried to keep the conversation going. "So we started talking about the Cowboys and everything," he said. "Then they got back on the highway."
"I tell you what, I'm glad he was a Cowboy fan," Irvin said.
Also worth celebrating: Pacman Jones has been cleared of any involvement, which, I think, is a first. See, things are looking up for the Cowboys' organization.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
1-14-2009 @ 1:29PM
T said...
I would need more proof than just his word...Sounds fishy and his history as well
Reply
1-14-2009 @ 4:02PM
Stephen Lang said...
Why? It's not like he's writing a book about it or otherwise seeking to profit from the story.
I mean I could see someone embellish something like this a bit, but it's harmless either way.
If you want a story, ask me about that fish I almost caught on Sunday.
1-14-2009 @ 2:22PM
Gabriel J. Torres said...
No way, they pulled a gun on "The Coke Machine"?
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 1:44PM
berriosrub said...
Perhaps they thought the machine was holding-out on "the real thang."
1-14-2009 @ 4:35PM
Boris 43rd said...
He shouldve shot him lol COWBOY'S SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
Skinz!!!!!!!!
Reply
1-14-2009 @ 10:29PM
Eric said...
hahahah.....i agree! HAIL TO THE REDSKINS
1-16-2009 @ 6:24PM
Shadowguitar said...
Seriously? Dude, that's just messed up. I'm a lifelong Skins fan, and I'm insulted that someone as stupid and pathetic as yourself is a fan of an organization as great as the Washington Redskins. Grow up, man.
1-14-2009 @ 4:58PM
Matt said...
Boris, come on man, that's not necessary.
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 7:52AM
Robert said...
Yeah, that's what happens when try to be nice with people you don't know. Mike Irvin has a good heart but let's face it people who hold misguided delusional flights of fancy will say or do anything to justify that delusion.
Probably some idiot name boris69'd I mean boris43rd whatever. Now Plaxico don't look so bad after all. Jealous petty small minde people abound all over just be careful Cowboy Nation too much talk about guns and bullets.
These hard hating sports writers are stirring up the psycho culture we keep seeing. Never know one drink here one drink there next you have a raging lunatic. If you need to shoot something get a camera it's safer.
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1-15-2009 @ 8:16AM
belinda1904 said...
I live really close to that area, great part of town, not much trouble.... now this has me concerned for my children and I. WIsh the market was better, we'd move.
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 9:10AM
reste0123 said...
If a thug is going to rip off another thug, he might as well rip off a thug with money. Im very sure some of these low-life thugs target pro-athletes. Knowing they have money and expensive jewlery...Pro athletes talk about things they encounter to eachoter, then one wonders why they want to protect themself when they need to go out. Im not agreeing with it, but its just the mentality..
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1-15-2009 @ 9:58AM
Cindy Burch said...
I can't believe there are people saying they should have shot him! How inhumane! KARMA baby!
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 10:00AM
George said...
These EX-athletes all live on publicity. Irvin probably needed to raise everyone's level of awareness that HE is not forgotten, so he made up this story. It is very hard to prove and everyone is now talking about Michael Irvin. It's a win win for him.
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 11:27AM
Welcome Pat said...
You really don't know what you are talking about. Michael was a great ball player and now has a local radio show on ESPN. He surely doesn't need other publicity!!!!!
1-15-2009 @ 10:23AM
Ann said...
wonder if he bothered to get the license plate number to turn in to the police? that would have been helpful in getting these thugs off the street.
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 11:53AM
Original Setup said...
I was wondering the same thing!! Glad he's okay though!
1-15-2009 @ 10:43AM
Claudette said...
It is so sad that you have "to be somebody" in order not to get robbed or shot. Those guys should consider that every one is someone's brother or sister or father, etc. Glad he's okay.
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 10:51AM
texascactuswow said...
Lest you forget- The Cowboys are America's team. Most of the bloggers sonund like adolescent boys. Get a gripe on reality. The story is legitimate and I am sure Michael Irving was scared for his life. The naysayers are just losers without a life and have not read anything besides the side of a beer carton in years. Go Cowboys!!
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 10:52AM
wdgeo said...
racist pricks
Reply
1-15-2009 @ 11:15AM
rohrscheibcroh said...
RACIEST WERE DID YOU GET THAT im sick of anything reagarding a black in any way as raciest .this man said some one took a gun out no race was even mentioned. so give it up.