{"id":753952,"date":"2026-02-15T14:14:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T14:14:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/753952\/"},"modified":"2026-02-15T14:14:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T14:14:18","slug":"jerry-jones-says-he-wouldnt-be-hall-of-famer-without-michael-irvin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/753952\/","title":{"rendered":"Jerry Jones Says He Wouldn’t Be Hall of Famer Without Michael Irvin"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jerry Jones
\n I Owe My Gold Jacket To Irvin
\n & His Winner’s Mentality<\/p>\n

\n Published
\n February 15, 2026
\n 12:30 AM PST\n <\/p>\n

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TMZSports.com<\/p>\n

Jerry Jones<\/a> is the most powerful owner in the NFL … but he tells TMZ Sports things could ended up much differently for him if Michael Irvin<\/a> never played for the Dallas Cowboys.<\/p>\n

We caught up with the Hall of Fame owner at the Fanatics party during Super Bowl week … and he spoke highly of his former superstar receiver — not only for his athletic abilities, but also the mindset he brought to the whole franchise.<\/p>\n

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The praise came up when we asked if Irvin should bring his signature “belt to ass” celebrations to the Cowboys … after it became a bit of a phenomenon for his Miami Hurricanes this past season.<\/p>\n

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His answer?? Irvin earned the right to do whatever the heck he wants.<\/p>\n

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“Let me say this, what I’m for is for whatever Michael Irvin is for,” Jones said. “I have a gold jacket. I wouldn’t have the gold jacket had Michael Irvin not played for the Cowboys, in a manner of speaking.” Jones said.<\/p>\n

Michael Irvin with another BTA celebration \ud83e\udd23\ud83e\udd23 pic.twitter.com\/grNDikkT8P<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Nick Harris (@NickHarrisFWST) January 1, 2026<\/a>
\n @NickHarrisFWST<\/a><\/p>\n

“To be involved and be around the winning mentality or that winning physicality — when Michael says it, I listen.”<\/p>\n

Irvin — a HOFer himself — was a three-time Super Bowl champion over the course of his career … playing each season with America’s Team.<\/p>\n

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He had nearly 12,000 yards and earned 65 touchdowns over the course of his career … and has a spot in the Cowboys Ring of Honor.<\/p>\n

As for the current state of the team, Jones understands the fans are frustrated with the 30-year Super Bowl drought, explaining the NFL is highly competitive, and he’s doing everything in his power to bring back the ’90s-era ‘Boys.<\/p>\n

A key focus, he adds, is redefining the defense — a top priority on his list.<\/p>\n

“I understand how it’s done,” Jones said, “I understand how it’s not done.”<\/p>\n