Members of the media who cover the WVU football team will certainly miss Bruce Irvin. He was a go-to guy before and after every game as he was always willing to talk. Most times light hearted, Irvin was usually good for a quip and he usually spoke beyond the normal cliches.
None of us in West Virginia knew B.J. Irvin, as Bruce was known as a kid growing up in Georgia. B.J. Irvin was in trouble often, estranged from his family for a time and even without a home on a couple of occassions.
"I changed (the name) because B.J. was the one getting into trouble," Irvin said late Thursday night after he was made the 15th pick of the draft by the Seattle Seahawks. "Those are two different people.
"I hate it when people say I have character issues," Irvin continued. "I can see it if I kept getting in trouble in junior college. I’ve never been suspended and I’ve never failed a drug test. I had a recent little hiccup but I got all of those charges dismissed. It made me realize that not everyone wants you to succeed."
The incident Irvin referred to occurred in downtown Morgantown recently when Irvin allegedly knocked a magnetic sign off of a Pita Pit delivery car. Irvin was charged with destruction of property.
"It should have been a citation," Irvin said. "I went to court and they dropped all the charges. It’s a lesson learned. Everything about me will be magnified. I just can’t go out and get into those situations."
Irvin has a relationship with Seahawks coach pete Carroll. Carroll tried to recruit Irvin to USC out of junior college but academic issues came up.
"I’m just happy Pete Carroll trusted and believed in me," Irvin said. "Deep down in his heart he He knows that I am a changed person. He knew Bruce. Pete Carroll doesn’t even know B.J. He knew Bruce and that’s all that matters."
Mountaineer fans also got to know and love Bruce Irvin as he rolled up 22 1/2 sacks in two seasons at WVU. Irvin has pledged to stay on the straight and narrow while continuing to do what he does best.
"I love eating quarterbacks," Irvin told the Seattle media last night.
See what I mean about Irvin being a go-to guy for quotes?