In a class rich with talented wide receivers, Irvin was then taken 11th overall in the 1st round of the 1988 NFL draft. He was the last first round pick of Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry. Despite injuries, Irvin led the National Football Conference with a 20.4 yards per catch average in his rookie season. In 1989, Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys and fired Landry. Irvin was then re-united with his college coach Jimmy Johnson.

Injuries hampered Irvin's development in 1989 and 1990 but in 1991 he led the National Football League with 1,523 yards receiving and set a Cowboys record with 93 receptions. Along with NFL rushing champion Emmitt Smith, they became the first pair of teammates to lead the NFL in both rushing and receiving yardage.

In 1992 and 1993 Irvin was a key player on the Cowboys' first two Super Bowl teams. In 1994 he enjoyed another stellar campaign with his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl season, but that year the Cowboys lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. For his part Irvin had one of the most productive days in NFL playoff history with 12 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

In 1995, Irvin set an NFL record by recording 11 straight 100 yard games receiving. He broke his own team records with career highs in receptions (111) and receiving yards (1,603). Dallas steamrolled through the playoffs and Irvin was a Super Bowl champion for the third time.

In March of 1996, however, Irvin was arrested on charges of cocaine possession. He plead no contest and was found guilty and sentenced to community service and probation. The NFL suspended him for the first five games of the 1996 season.

The distraction would prove too great for the Cowboys as they struggled out of the gate and never recovered. Irvin tallied 962 yards in only 11 games but controversy would rear its head again as the Cowboys headed into Carolina for their NFC Divisional Playoff game.

The media reported with the story that Irvin and teammate Erik Williams had sexually assaulted a woman and videotaped the interaction. Despite constant denials from Irvin, this story overshadowed the game and again proved a giant distraction for Dallas.

Dallas lost the game to the Carolina Panthers, and Irvin was unable to finish the game after he broke his collarbone midway through. The accuser was later proven to have fabricated the entire incident but the damage to his reputation was already done.

Irvin had solid years for the Cowboys in 1997 and 1998. During the fifth game of the 1999 season, Irvin was knocked down hard at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia after making a catch over the middle. It was the last play of his career.

He was diagnosed with a narrow spinal column and was forced to retire. He finished with 750 receptions for 11,904 yards and scored 65 touchdowns. His reception totals were tied for tenth all time when he retired. He was selected to play in five Pro Bowls and won 3 Super Bowls. His off field stories sometimes overshadow his on field play but Irvin is expected to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame eventually. Irvin now is an NFL analyst for ESPN.