Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle David Irving is apparently calling it a career. Per an announcement on his Instagram Live feed, Irving said that he “quit[s]” and is “not doing this [stuff] no more.” Irving was suspended indefinitely for a third failed substance abuse test on March 1st.
David Irving Announces He’s Quitting the NFL
Despite the recent announcement, Irving says that he still loves football, but hates the NFL. “I love football. However, I don’t love the NFL. The NFL is not football…What you see us do, the game and [stuff], that’s, what, 20 percent of all the real [stuff] we’re doing.”
Irving appeared to be smoking marijuana during the Instagram Live session. However, the soon-to-be free agent defended his smoking habits, saying that “…if I’m going to be addicted to something, I’d rather be addicted to marijuana…rather than Xanax bars or the hydros or the Seroquel and all that crazy [stuff] that they feed you.”
Irving initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Signed by the Kansas City Chiefs following the 2015 NFL Draft, Irving couldn’t make the final roster cuts. However, the Iowa State product earned a spot on Kansas City’s practice squad to start the season.
His time in Kansas City didn’t last long, as the Dallas Cowboys added him to their active roster in late September. Primarily used as a backup, Irving recorded 13 tackles, three quarterback hits, and 0.5 sacks during 12 games with Dallas. On top of that, Irving also blocked a field goal while working on special teams.
So far through his career, Irving has recorded 12.5 sacks, 56 tackles, and 30 quarterback hits. His best season came in 2017 when he recorded seven sacks, 22 tackles and 10 quarterback hits in just eight games played. The defensive tackle has played in 37 games throughout his NFL career, starting 10. If Irving’s true to his word, these will be the final stats of his career.
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