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PHOENIX– Claiming to be the latest victim of “cancel culture,” Michael Irvin has filed a $100 million lawsuit against Marriott International and an unnamed Marriott employee who accused him of misconduct.
In the suit obtained by Front Office Sports, the NFL Network analyst says he’s been “devastated” personally and professionally by the accusation made by a female employee at a Marriott hotel in Phoenix.
Since being rousted out of bed Sunday night by hotel security, the former Dallas Cowboys star was pulled from NFL Network’s coverage of Super Bowl 57 this week.
He lost a scheduled Friday appearance with Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s top-rated “First Take.” Irvin and Smith have proved to be an entertaining duo during his weekly appearances with the King of Embrace Debate.
As a result of the allegation, Irvin was essentially “kicked off the air” and “canceled,” according to the suit.
Irvin has also lost several paid personal appearances in the Phoenix area this week, according to the suit. During Super Bowl Week, many ex-players like Irvin earn big money by hawking and services products on Radio Row, signing autographs, and hosting parties and events. Irvin’s attorney accused the hotel of “railroading” his client.
“Actions have consequences. Rash and thoughtless actions can have severe consequences,” says the suit filed by Irvin’s attorney Levi McCathern. “Marriott apparently did not appreciate these simple truths when, in a rush to judgment, its employees and management inaccurately and inflammatorily accused Mr. Irvin of misconduct to the National Football League.”
According to the suit, Irvin said he had a “brief, friendly interaction with the Marriott employee on Sunday night lasting no longer than a minute.”
The alleged conversation occurred in the hotel lobby, where Irvin chatted and took pictures with fans. Irvin gave the employee a “polite handshake,” according to the suit, then went to bed alone.
The female employee and Marriott then falsely reported Irvin to the league for inappropriate conduct, claims the suit.
Even after the Pro Football Hall of Famer “offered multiple witnesses to confirm the propriety” of his behavior, Marriott wouldn’t listen, according to the suit.
McCathern, a high-powered Texas lawyer, has represented Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in previous lawsuits.
He helped get a sexual assault lawsuit against Jones dismissed in 2014. A year later, McCathern defended Jones in a lawsuit over Super Bowl seats.
“It is clear Michael is the latest victim of our cancel culture where all it takes is an accusation to ruin a person’s life,” McCathern said in a statement. “Michael looks forward to clearing his name in court and hopes the court of public opinion will see the truth come out as well.”
TMZ first reported the Irvin lawsuit earlier this week. Marriott could not be reached for comment. The Phoenix Police Department referred questions back to the NFL.
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