Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer receiver Michael Irvin was initially planning to use Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics as a soft opening for his new sports bar called Playmakers88 and to celebrate Father’s Day.
He had also hoped for a Mavericks win in an effort to keep their title dreams alive. That was before Boston won in blowout fashion, 106-88, to clinch its 18th world title.
But something put it on Irvin’s heart to share a family health crisis with his patrons at halftime.
Irvin revealed that his wife Sandy, 58, has early onset Alzheimer’s. She has been dealing with the disease for five or six years. She has trouble walking and speaking and requires 24-hour care with a live-in caretaker.
Irvin said he has no intention of putting her in a home, no matter the cost.
“If anyone has earned the right to stay in her house, MY WIFE HAS!!!,” Irvin said in an exclusive text to the Star-Telegram. “That I shall honor. No matter what it takes.”
Irvin and Sandy, who met in college at Miami, have been together for 39 years, married for 34.
Irvin asked for prayers for his family.
He said impromptu announcement came largely because of his sentiments toward his new restaurant endeavor.
The chef in the kitchen also worked at another restaurant and Sandy loved his wings
He would either go pick it up for her or have it delivered when he was out of town for work.
“When I’m working and she is a very finicky eater,” said Irvin, who works as a host on Undisputed in Fox Sports 1 along with Skip Bayless and Keyshawn Johnson and previously worked at the NFL Network. “And I’m on the road, she would always call me and say baby, ‘I’m hungry.’ I’m literally on the show. In the breaks, I would call and say ‘my wife just called, get her some chicken to the house.’
“She would only eat the wings from here. No other wings.”
When the previous restaurant folded, investors came to Irvin and Playmakers88 was born. It is at 5005 Texas 121 in The Colony.
“The Bible says, if you suffer with you suffer with me you shall reign with me,” Irvin said. “Those guys were with me in the hard times. Let me step and try to reciprocate that kind of relationship.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. Younger-onset Alzheimer’s affects people younger than age 65.
Many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s.
About 1 in 9 people age 65 and older in the United States has Alzheimer’s disease. About 110 of every 100,000 adults between ages 30 and 64 have young-onset Alzheimer’s.
The average life expectancy for an individual diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer’s is between eight and 12 years. It is believed that early onset Alzheimer’s has a more aggressive disease course and progresses faster.
If you believe you or a loved one has early-onset Alzheimer’s, you can call the national hot line for help or information at any time 1-800-272-3900.
Locally, call 214-540-2400 or visit www.alz.org/dallasnetexas.
This story was originally published June 18, 2024 7:00 AM.
