Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin says he may have cancer

Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin announced on Instagram on Tuesday that he might have throat cancer.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver said in the post he underwent testing earlier this week.

In the post, Irvin said he was at UCLA Medical Health doing tests. He wrote he lost his voice after the Cowboys beat the Saints last season, and the problem continued for almost two months.

Doctors decided to schedule a throat biopsy for Irvin, he said.

Irvin, 53, said in the post that his father died from throat cancer at the age of 51.

“This daemon has chased and vexed me deep in my spirit all my life,” Irvin said in the post. “So saying I am afraid this time is a big big understatement. I AM TERRIFIED!!”

Irvin had a brother die of stomach cancer in 2006. He was 46.

The former player asked for thoughts and prayers as he waits for the test results.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was shocked and concerned when told of Irvin’s situation at the NFL owners meeting Phoenix.

“I appreciate you guys telling me,” a visibly shaken Jones said. “I will try to talk to him immediately. It’s the first I have heard of it. That is very concerning. Very.”

Coach Jason Garrett, a former teammate of Irvin’s on the Super Bowl title teams of the 1990s, found out from reporters after coming out of a meeting as well.

Vice president Stephen Jones said he learned of the situation from his sister Charlotte Jones Anderson, the team’s Chief Brand Officer, who showed him Irvin’s Instagram post.

“It’s scary,” Stephen Jones said. “Bet on Michael. He will compete. That is for sure.”

Irvin played 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 1988 to 1999, owns three Super Bowl rings and multiple team receiving records, including career receptions (750) and career receiving yards (11,904). He works as an analyst on NFL Network.

This story was originally published March 26, 2019 at 6:34 PM.