Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin made his official return to NFL Network on Sunday (September 10) after reaching a settlement in his $100 million defamation lawsuit against Marriott Hotels.
Irvin appeared on NFL Gameday Morning for the first time since being pulled from the network's Super Bowl week coverage in February after a Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel employee accused the former Cowboys star of harassment.
In April, David Moore of the Dallas Morning News had reported that Irvin "remains suspended" and wouldn't be part of the NFL Network's 2023 NFL Draft coverage.
“Michael Irvin will not be a part of NFL Network’s Super Bowl LVII week coverage,” said Alex Riethmiller, NFL Media vice president of communications, in a statement obtained by the Dallas Morning News at the time.
The 57-year-old later filed a $100 million lawsuit against a woman who he claims made false accusations about his conduct that could have potentially ruined his career, TMZ Sports reported at the time, but his ongoing absence could possibly suggest that NFL media believes there is some merit to the claims against him. Irvin's lawsuit, which was obtained by the website after being filed on February 9, claimed that Irvin was a victim of a potential "cancel culture" scheme concocted by the woman.
"Rash and thoughtless actions can have severe consequences," the lawsuit stats via TMZ Sports. "Marriott [parent company of Renaissance Hotels] apparently did not appreciate these simple truths when, in a rush to judgment, its employees and management inaccurately and inflammatorily accused Mr. Irvin of misconduct to the National Football League."
Witnesses backed Irvin's previous claim that he "casually exchanged pleasantries" with the accuser and "shook hands" as they departed. The legendary former Cowboys receiver said he returned to the hotel at which he is staying in Glendale, Arizona, after having dinner and drinks with former teammate Michael Brooks.
“Honestly, I’m a bit baffled with it all,” Irvin told the Dallas Morning News in a phone interview from Arizona on February 8. “This all happened in a 45-second conversation in the lobby. When I got back after going out … I came into the lobby, and I talked to somebody. I talked to this girl. I don’t know her, and I talked to her for about 45 seconds.
“We shook hands. Then, I left. … That’s all I know.”
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