Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin has asked for fans' prayers as he deals with possible throat cancer.
The former Dallas Cowboys player took to Instagram on Tuesday (March 26) to describe a voice issue that arose as he celebrated his old team's win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 13 of last season:
"I was so elated and hyped I lost my voice and the problem persisted for almost two months," wrote Irvin: "After visiting some of the best throat doctors, they thought it [would] be wise to take a deeper look at the situation."
While 53-year-old Irvin's biopsy results are not yet known, he says his father's death from the same cancer at age 51 makes him fears what will happen next:
"Growing up in the ghetto of Fort Lauderdale the one thing you have to conquer to get out is fear. I did! As a football player the no-fear gift served me well as a blessing and an asset on the field. But sometimes off the field it’s been a curse and a liability.
"This daemon has chased and vexed me deep in my spirit all my life. So saying I am afraid this time is a big, big understatement. I AM TERRIFIED!!"
An estimated 53,000 adults in America will be diagnosed with throat cancer this year, per Cancer.net. If treated early enough, the condition is not likely to be life-threatening.
Irvin, a three time Super Bowl champion with Dallas, retired in 1999 after 12 years in the league. He recorded 11,904 yards and 65 touchdowns on 750 receptions, per Pro Football Reference. His 15.8 yards per touch are fourth highest all time.
One half of a dynamic Dallas duo that included quarterback Troy Aikman in the '90s, Irvin saw the playoffs seven times over an eight year span. He was named first team All-Pro in 1991 and went to five Pro Bowls in his career.
COVER PHOTO: Grantland
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