Rams announce death of franchise great LeRoy Irvin

CANTON, OH - JULY 30: Cornerback LeRoy Irvin #47 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on from the sideline during a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Fawcett Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on July 30, 1988 in Canton, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Rams 14-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) | Getty Images

LeRoy Irvin has died after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 68. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback for the Rams was drafted by the team in 1980 and had an immediate impact, forcing turnovers as early as his rookie season, and then being named as a first-team All-Pro in 1981.

Irvin spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, prior to one last season in 1990 with the Detroit Lions.

We mourn the loss of Rams Legend LeRoy Irvin. We extend our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/ewnRmu8UGF

- Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 2, 2026

Irvin, a third-round pick out of Kansas, was named to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and 1986.

Between 1983 and 1987, Irvin was a scoring machine on defense, intercepting 23 passes and returning five of those picks for touchdowns. He also forced five fumbles and recovered five fumbles, returning one of those for a touchdown too.

In addition to defense, Irvin was a star punt returner, housing three returns for touchdowns in 1981, then another in 1982.

Irvin ranks third all-time in interceptions among Rams players with 34 of them, and he's tied for first in pick-sixes. He also has the most forced fumbles (9) for a cornerback in franchise history.

In a 2025 interview, Irvin mentioned talked about starting businesses with former teammates like Vince Ferragamo and Eric Dickerson (two different companies), and the first time he felt like he had made it:

That was at the Senior Bowl. I went to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Some kids came up and wanted my autograph. Of course, I gave it to them. It was like wow, have I made it yet?" I was asking myself that. Have I made it? Obviously, I hadn't made it at that point.

He would certainly make it in the NFL.

What are your favorite LeRoy Irvin memories?