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Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin attended the grand opening of his new sports bar during Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals, but he shocked his patrons with an unexpected announcement concerning his immediate family.
Irvin's new restaurant, called Playmakers88 after his NFL jersey number, opened Monday to fanfare amid the hometown Dallas Mavericks' participation in the Finals. Despite the celebratory occasion, Irvin chose the moment to reveal to customers and close friends a health update that has turned his world upside down.
Irvin confirms a devastating diagnosis
During halftime of Monday night's game, Irvin announced that his wife, Sandy, is battling early-onset Alzheimer's -- a disease with which she has lived for the past five or six years as it takes its toll on her body and her mind.
The Irvins have been married for 34 years, and Michael said he has no intention of moving Sandy out of the family home and into a dedicated facility -- even though she now requires around-the-clock care and has trouble walking or speaking.
Irvin's wife stood by his side as he embarked on a 12-year NFL career in which he became an icon in Dallas. Irvin, a big and physical receiver, helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowl titles during the 1990s, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
But this challenge is unlike any Irvin ever faced on the gridiron, and maintaining his wife's comfort and security take center-stage amid the public reveal of her illness.