The year was 1998. The Dallas Cowboys were in training camp at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, Everett McIver, apparently, was caped up and sitting in the barber’s chair, a haircut in progress. In came Michael Irvin, who was none too happy he’d have to wait to have his lines tightened.
“Seniority!” Irvin yelled. Not once, but four times. “Punk get the fukk out of my chair!”
Now, McIver had been in the league five years at that point, so he felt he’d paid his dues. “You’re no fukkin’ rookie. He can’t tell you what to do,” another lineman chirped in McIver’s ear. “Damn right!” McIver said. He got up from the chair and shoved No. 88. The two came to blows and Irvin reached for a pair of scissors. Irvin plunged the shears into McIver’s neck, missing his carotid artery by inches. Irvin was already on probation at the time of incident thanks to a cocaine bust. Thus, Irvin was facing certain jail time, should McIver elect to press charges.
Enter Jerry Jones. Jones compelled Irvin to fork over a handsome sum (reportedly six figures) to keep the matter out of court and buy the stabbed lineman’s silence.
Jones would later describe what happened between the two men as “horseplay.”
Scissorgate: Remembering when Michael Irvin nearly stabbed a teammate to death - The Versed
“Seniority!” Irvin yelled. Not once, but four times. “Punk get the fukk out of my chair!”
Now, McIver had been in the league five years at that point, so he felt he’d paid his dues. “You’re no fukkin’ rookie. He can’t tell you what to do,” another lineman chirped in McIver’s ear. “Damn right!” McIver said. He got up from the chair and shoved No. 88. The two came to blows and Irvin reached for a pair of scissors. Irvin plunged the shears into McIver’s neck, missing his carotid artery by inches. Irvin was already on probation at the time of incident thanks to a cocaine bust. Thus, Irvin was facing certain jail time, should McIver elect to press charges.
Enter Jerry Jones. Jones compelled Irvin to fork over a handsome sum (reportedly six figures) to keep the matter out of court and buy the stabbed lineman’s silence.
Jones would later describe what happened between the two men as “horseplay.”
Scissorgate: Remembering when Michael Irvin nearly stabbed a teammate to death - The Versed
