Rams Legend Passes
Los Angeles Rams Pro Bowler LeRoy Irvin, Defensive Star of the 80s, Dies at 68
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Key Points
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Irvin was a native of Fort Dix, New Jersey, played college football at the University of Kansas, and was selected 70th overall in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
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He appeared in 159 NFL games and started 104, spending 10 seasons with the Rams from 1980 to 1989 before finishing his career with the Detroit Lions in 1990.
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Over his career he registered 35 interceptions and 11 touchdowns, including five pick-sixes, plus 10 forced fumbles.
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There are varying reports on Irvin’s Pro Bowl/All-Pro honors, with some outlets listing two Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro selections, while others show different counts.
LeRoy Irvin, a cornerback and return specialist who helped define the Los Angeles Rams' defense in the 1980s, has died at age 68, NBC Sports reports. The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
Irvin earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors during his 11-season NFL career. He spent 10 seasons with the Rams before finishing with the Detroit Lions in 1990. His former teammate and Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson broke the news on Instagram, calling Irvin a trusted friend and a high-energy leader.
From Fort Dix to NFL Stardom with the Rams
Irvin was born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and played college football at the University of Kansas. The Los Angeles Rams selected him 70th overall in the 1980 NFL Draft. He quickly became a key piece of the team's defense and special teams.
Over 11 NFL seasons, Irvin appeared in 159 games and started 104. He recorded 35 career interceptions, including five pick-sixes, and added 10 forced fumbles, according to Bleacher Report. He scored 11 touchdowns total — a rare feat for a defensive back and returner.
A Lockdown Corner Who Also Dazzled on Returns
Irvin was a two-time Pro Bowler and earned First-Team All-Pro honors multiple times during his peak years with the Rams, NBC Sports reported. He was named All-Pro at both cornerback and punt returner — a mark of how dangerous he was on both sides of the ball.
His 1981 punt return season stands out as one of the best in Rams history. Irvin's speed and instincts made him one of the most complete defensive players of his era. TSN noted he was a two-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro across his career.
Eric Dickerson Leads Tributes for a True Friend
Dickerson announced Irvin's death on Instagram. He praised Irvin as a "steady" and "energetic" presence and called him a trusted friend, according to Yahoo Sports. The post sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans and former players.
Tributes described Irvin as a fierce competitor and a lockdown corner who brought energy to every game. Former players remembered him as one of the defining figures of the Rams' 1980s teams. Roundtable noted he was also a second-team All-Pro in 1985, rounding out a decorated résumé.
Irvin's Legacy Lives On in Rams History
Irvin played all 10 of his Rams seasons from 1980 to 1989, then closed out his career with the Detroit Lions in 1990. His 159 games played and 35 interceptions place him among the most productive defensive backs of his generation.
The Rams organization has not released details about the circumstances of his death. He was 68 years old. His combination of shutdown corner play and return ability made him one of the most versatile defenders in Rams history, NBC Sports reported.
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