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Cowboys Player Quits NFL in Strange Live Video While Smoking Marijuana

By Ross Kelly March 8, 2019 at 3:36pm

There’s going out with a bang and there’s going out with a bong.

David Irving, formerly of the Dallas Cowboys, did the latter by quitting the NFL during an Instagram Live video on Thursday night while smoking marijuana.

Man, this can’t end well.

After announcing he’s quit the NFL, while smoking marijuana during an Instagram live stream, David Irving says he’ll reveal his plans soon.

“Just sit back and enjoy the show,” he said.

Nothing enjoyable about it, though.

It’s just #sad. pic.twitter.com/TYfNL7GTbs

— Joe Trahan (@JoeTrahan) March 8, 2019

“Everyone questions my commitment to football,” Irving said. “Let’s get it straight here and now: I love football. … I wouldn’t be here without it. Don’t get me wrong. I love football.

“However, I don’t love the NFL. The NFL is not football, and y’all need to understand that what y’all see us do, the game and s—, that’s like 20 percent of the real s— we do.”

“So, basically guys, I quit,” he said.

The timing of the video was no coincidence as just last week it was revealed that Irving had been suspended indefinitely for repeated violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

Irving doesn’t have to abide by the league’s policy on substances like marijuana if he’s not an active player, so he apparently is choosing marijuana over the NFL.

Do you think David Irving will change his mind and come back to the NFL?

The 2019 season would have been the third straight that Irving would have been suspended as he also violated the NFL’s substance abuse policy last season and had to sit out four games.

He was also suspended for four games in 2017, but it was for violating the league’s PED policy.

Irving’s shocking retirement is reminiscent of Ricky Williams’ first retirement in 2004. The Miami Dolphins running back tested positive for marijuana in the offseason and was facing a four-game suspension, but he elected to retire instead.

In his video, Irving said, “I love football, but I don’t love the NFL,” which makes you wonder if he’ll try to play for one of the other football leagues.

(WARNING: Video contains graphic language.)

David Irving cont: “Everyone questions my commitment to football, but let’s get it straight… I love football… but I don’t love the NFL. The NFL is not football.” pic.twitter.com/q9X194p3FV

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) March 8, 2019

One of those leagues, the Freedom Football League, plans on starting in 2020, and Williams just happens to be one of the founders and investors.

The league reportedly will allow players to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Irving was about to enter unrestricted free agency for the first time this offseason.

Over his four-year career, Irving made $3.6 million, and Ian Kenyon of Bleacher Report estimates that he could have earned $25 million to $30 million if he had stayed clean.

An undrafted player out of Iowa State, Irving played in 37 NFL games and notched 12.5 sacks in his career.

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