Michael Irvin, three time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer, seemingly accomplished everything one could reasonably hope for over his career, which spanned 12 seasons. He was a five-time Pro Bowler and once an All-Pro. He was also widely considered the heart of a team widely considered to be among the greatest of all time.
But Irvin said yesterday on the NFL Network that he would trade everything--three rings, immortality in the Hall of Fame and all--for 19-0, the perfect season.
"I would turn in all three Super Bowl rings and my Hall of Fame bust for one undefeated season," Irvin said. Speaking to Barry Horn of Dallas Morning News fame, Irvin expanded, "I'd give them all back for perfection. Being the best for a season (Super Bowl champ) is great but being one of the greatest of all-time is something else."
Of course, there are those who would argue that some of those Dallas teams in the early-nineties were some "of the greatest of all time" regardless of an unblemished record. But Irvin was steadfast in his assessment.
"The opportunity to be perfect is incredible," Irvin said in response to a question about the two remaining unbeatens, New Orleans and Indianapolis. "To be able to walk away as perfect after winning the Super Bowl -- there can be nothing better."
