There may not be a more gifted receiver than Michael Irvin. At least not after he passed out leather jackets Thursday that he had custom-made for the Dallas Cowboys' offensive linemen and fullbacks.
The presents - blue-and-white jackets with Cowboys logos and uniform numbers - were handed out with pride. However, Irvin did not buy one for himself, which is not unusual since he's gone uncovered all season.Two years ago, Irvin was the NFL's leading receiver with 93 catches for 1,523 yards. He caught 84 more passes this season, as well as six in last week's playoff victory over Philadelphia, for 1,484 yards.
He has a weekly television show, a fat new contract, a slew of endorsements and a reputation for mouthing off from his days at Miami.
"I love the fans, I love the stage," Irvin said. "That Sunday-evening stage. People think I love the glitz and the glitter, but it's the challenge I love. The competing."
But in Sunday's NFC Championship Game, Irvin will share the stage with perhaps the greatest receiver of all time and the only player he refuses to compete with - San Francisco's Jerry Rice.
Irvin, who reportedly has referred to Rice as "Jesus in cleats," became better acquainted with his 49ers counterpart at last year's Pro Bowl.
Earlier this season, after Irvin's eight-catch, 210-yard, three-touchdown performance against Phoenix, Rice revealed he was a big Irvin fan. But Irvin refuses to be drawn into a comparison.
"There you go again: `Jerry Rice, Jerry Rice, Jerry Rice,' " Irvin said.
Although in his eighth season, Rice shows no signs of slowing down. He caught 84 passes this year for 1,201 yards and 10 touchdowns, increasing his total of career scoring receptions to a league-record 103.
Rice may be the most trumpeted receiver in the league, but unlike Irvin, he won't blow his own horn.
"You'll never hear me say I'm the best receiver who ever played the game," Rice said. "I'm just a modest guy. I'll give that to Michael."