David Irving has made headlines again after posting on Instagram that he has decided to “quit the NFL”. His time with the Dallas Cowboys had already come to an end but during his short career he was among the most controversial Dallas Cowboys players of all time. The franchise has had no shortage of controversial players over the years. Here is a list of the top 10 most controversial Dallas Cowboys players of all time.
CRITERIA
First let me qualify this list by adding that in order to make the top 10, the players must meet the following criteria. 1. Experienced controversy during their tenure with the Dallas Cowboys. 2. Been an impact player. 3. Viewed in a negative light in the public. For these reasons, Adam “Pacman” Jones, Joseph Randle, and Nate Newton did not make this list.
10. DUANE THOMAS RB 1970-1971, 1976
Once dubbed the next Jim Brown, Thomas burst onto the scene winning rookie of the year honors in his first season. The very next year, he made headlines because of a contract dispute and was eventually traded to the Patriots. One week later, the NFL commissioner Peter Rozelle voided the trade and Duane Thomas was sent back to Dallas. He would go on to play a vital role in leading the Dallas Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory but was reluctant to talk to teammates or the media the entire season. The following year the Cowboys once again traded the disgruntled running back. After bouncing around from team to team for several years and often leaving on bad terms he signed with the Cowboys again in 1976 but was waived shortly thereafter.
9. Terrell Owens WR 2006-2008
T.O never made headlines for illegal activity and he was never arrested but he still remains one of the most controversial players of all time. During his brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys there was always plenty of drama that surrounded him. The “Diva” wide receiver often garnered negative attention for his comments on and off the field, his showboating, and his emotional outbursts. The most publicized and bizarre incident that occurred during his time in Dallas involved an overdose of pain medication that turned into an alleged report of a failed suicide attempt. Long after his retirement he once again made headlines following his NFL Hall of Fame induction by becoming the only living inductee that refused to attend the ceremony. The ultimate reason being that he was upset that he was not a first ballot inductee.
8. DEZ BRYANT WR 2010-2017
For Dez Bryant, controversy has surrounded him his entire career with the Dallas Cowboys. Ever since they traded up to draft the superstar wide receiver with “character concerns” coming out of college up until his unceremonious release in 2018. After a highly publicized domestic violence incident involving his mother in 2012, the Dallas Cowboys enrolled Bryant in a strict conduct policy that included curfews and chaperones. Outside of Dallas, the national media considered Dez a “Diva” largely due to his emotional outbursts on the sidelines. Often these “outbursts” were simply displays of leadership and encouragement that were misconstrued as demands for the football to be thrown his way. In the end, his fiery personality is believed to have conflicted with certain coaches and the Cowboys decided to move on from Dez Bryant in 2018.
7. RANDY GREGORY DE 2015-PRESENT
Another immensely talented player the Dallas Cowboys took a risk drafting late in the second round of 2015. Up until last season, Gregory had disappointed due to his inability to stay on the field as a result of numerous suspensions for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Last year he finally appeared to get his life and career in order and he became an integral part of one of the best defenses in the NFL. This year he will once again be suspended indefinitely and it is possible that his career could be over. His issues are not a secret to the Dallas Cowboys and they stem from addiction and mental health which far outweigh his football career.
6. ROLANDO MCCLAIN LB 2014-2016
The Dallas Cowboys traded for the troubled linebacker in 2014 after Sean Lee suffered a season ending injury in training camp. Rolando McClain, was a former first round pick with unquestioned talent but huge character concerns. He had been released from the Raiders who drafted him 8th overall in 2010. He then signed with the Ravens but announced his retirement immediately after at only 23 years of age. The Dallas Cowboys were desperate so they took a chance on McClain in 2014 and it paid off as he helped lead them to a division title that season. During his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, McClain’s performance on the field was spectacular but injuries and suspensions kept him off the field frequently. In addition to that McClain would often be MIA during training camp due to personal reasons, was arrested multiple times, and was involved in an arson incident as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
5. CHARLES HALEY DE 1992-1996
The Dallas Cowboys won the lottery when they pulled off a trade to acquire Charles Haley in 1992 helping them win 3 Super Bowls in the 90’s. They were able to acquire the star defensive lineman because the 49ers had grown tired of his volatile personality and uncontrollable temper. He has often been accused of clashing with coaches and bullying teammates. Among the most notorious incidents, Haley has allegedly smashed his helmet through a wall, urinated on a teammates vehicle, and showed up to team meetings completely nude. After being inducted into the Hall of Fame, Haley has admitted to being diagnosed and treated with Bipolar Disorder which would explain some of his unpredictable behavior. Since then he has been very active in raising awareness for mental health and contributing to charitable organizations.
4. DAVID IRVING DT 2015-2018
David Irving has disappointed Dallas Cowboys fans over and over during his brief career. He has proved to be an elite talent at the defensive tackle position but has been unable to stay on the field after repeated suspensions for violating the leagues substance abuse policy. Last year he frustrated fans by not reporting to training camp due to personal issues. He missed the first four games after being suspended for the second straight year and then suffered an ankle sprain almost immediately after his return. He then failed to report to the team after the injury and missed the entire season. He has been outspoken about his belief that marijuana should not be considered a banned substance by the NFL due to its effectiveness as a pain killer. Recently, after yet another suspension, he announced on instagram that he is quitting the NFL due to their policy on the use of marijuana and he did so while smoking a blunt.
3. GREG HARDY DE 2015
The Dallas Cowboys encountered a public relations nightmare after they signed the controversial pass rusher in the midst of the Ray Rice scandal. Hardy had been found guilty of brutally assaulting his ex-girlfriend but the case was dismissed when the victim failed to testify. The league suspended Hardy for the first four games of 2015 and prior to his return against the Patriots he made some ill advised comments regarding Tom Brady, his wife and his sister. Throughout the season, Hardy would continue to make inappropriate comments, be late to team meetings, and was perceived to be a bad influence on other young defensive linemen such as Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory. The Dallas Cowboys decided to move on from Greg Hardy the following year and he has since been arrested for drug possession and retired from the NFL to become a mixed martial arts fighter.
2. MICHAEL IRVIN WR 1988-1999
On the field, Michael Irvin was the most flamboyant and electric personality in the history of the Dallas Cowboys organization. He was the emotional leader and catalyst for the dynasty of the 90’s. The man dubbed the “Playmaker” talked the talk but he also walked the walk. Off the field, Irvin enjoyed his fair share of controversy as well. Aside from his brightly colored suits, diamond studded earrings and fur coats he had a reputation for partying excessively. He also ran into some legal issues during and after his career. He was involved in a stabbing incident using a pair of scissors in a dispute with a teammate over a haircut.
1. THOMAS “HOLLYWOOD” HENDERSON LB 1975-1979
Thomas Henderson earned the nickname “Hollywood” because of his flamboyant personality and lifestyle. It was he who famously quoted that former Steelers QB Terry Bradshaw “couldn’t spell cat if you spotted him the ‘c’ and the ‘a'”. Henderson’s penchant for trash talking and his erratic behavior were not popular with head coach Tom Landry. Unfortunately, it wasn’t only Henderson’s personality that made him controversial but it was his drug and alcohol addiction. His constant substance abuse would eventually derail his career and nearly his life. He was an electric athlete and many believe he would have gone on to the Hall of Fame if not for his drug addiction. Happily, Henderson did manage to turn his life around after his career was over.
*Photo by Kieth Allison https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/legalcode
**Photo by © Scott Anderson | Dreamstime.com.LLC
*** Photo by © Jerry Coli | Dreamstime.com
Where’s Tony Dorsett?
All of these guys were great players. Unfortunately their behaviour was their legacy. Hollywood Henderson was my favorite and my greatest dissappointment
Lance Rentzel