Michael Irvin won’t be part of the NFL’s extensive draft coverage as the former Cowboys star remains embroiled in the fallout of an encounter that took place at this year’s Super Bowl.
The league sent out a release Wednesday detailing the more than 75 hours of content the NFL Network will broadcast over the course of next week for one of its signature events. Irvin’s name was not included in the long list of contributors.
When asked to clarify Irvin’s status, Alex Riethmiller, the NFL media vice president of communications, said the Hall of Fame receiver “remains suspended.’’
Irvin was part of the NFL Draft Kickoff Show last year, interviewing prospects on the red carpet along with Melissa Stark. That role will be filled solely by Stark this year.
Irvin was scheduled to be part of the NFL Network’s coverage of Super Bowl LVII two months ago. The Sunday before the game, after having dinner and drinks with a former Cowboys teammate, Irvin returned to the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown hotel before 11 p.m.
An interaction with a female employee of the property in the lobby a short time later resulted in a sexual harassment complaint, Irvin’s removal from the hotel and Riethmiller telling the The News that Irvin would no longer be part of the network’s Super Bowl coverage. A scheduled appearance on ESPN that week was also canceled.
Irvin has repeatedly maintained his innocence, saying he’s baffled how a brief, cordial and largely non-physical encounter could be viewed in this context. He has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Marriott for defamation and tortious interference in a business relationship. Originally filed in Collin County, the suit was later moved and refiled at an Arizona state court in Maricopa County.
Video surveillance footage from the hotel shows Irvin shaking hands with the woman twice. He also extends his right arm and touches her arm on two occasions, with the woman taking a step back both times.
No audio has been released. But the employee asserts Irvin made a lewd comment and added he would find her later in her work week.
Irvin denies that took place.
