Michael Irvin likens Marriott allegations to modern day lynching as hotel refuses to publicly release video footage

Michael Irvin and his lawyer held an explosive press conference on Wednesday following Marriott’s deadline to overturn video footage of the incident that led to the former Dallas Cowboys legend’s removal from Super Bowl coverage last month.

After remarks from his lawyer, Levi McCathern, during which the attorney described what he saw when he was allowed to watch the footage, Irvin likened Marriott’s treatment of him to a modern-day lynching.

“This just blows my mind that in 2023, we’re still dragging men and hanging them by a tree. I have no ability to defend myself,” Irvin said. “Marriott is above the law. I still haven’t seen this tape. I want to see what I’m being accused of. Why I’ve had to put my whole life on hold. Why my family has to endure this. If I’ve done something wrong, I would accept the consequences. But if they do something wrong, they need to face the consequences.”

Two witnesses who were with Irvin at the time of the incident were able to speak on the former NFL wideout’s behalf and denied witnessing anything untoward or inappropriate between him and the Marriott employee.

Former Cowboys WR Michael Irvin said Marriott’s treatment of him “sickens” him, likening it to a Black man being lynched because of a false accusation from a white woman. pic.twitter.com/qZlLp71dW0

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 8, 2023

Witnesses defend Irvin against allegations

Irvin maintains that he remembered shaking the woman’s hand and meeting her, but that he did nothing that was inappropriate or that warranted the hotel’s response.

The witnesses backed up his claim and added the two shared laughs before going their separate ways without incident.

Irvin’s attorney, who was only able to view the footage in the opposing counsel’s law office and was not permitted a copy or permission to record the footage via his cellphone, said the video showed a total of four physical contacts between the two parties. Two of the touches were handshakes, one other was Irvin grabbing the woman’s elbow and another similar gesture.

“We’re far enough along to say that the allegations are nonsense,” Irvin’s lawyer said. “We believe Michael needs to get back to work and Marriott should apologize to him.”

The former Cowboys star is suing Marriott for $100 million for defamation.

“I’m struggling, this is what I’m struggling with,” Irvin said. “You try to be an ambassador for the league. You try to raise people, lift people up. I always try to be good with people. Now I’m struggling, do I talk to people anymore? I was trying to do everything right. Had I not said to these guys, let’s go outside and take that picture, they wouldn’t have been with me. No one would have listened to what I have to say. No one would care what I have to say.”