He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes after graduating from Boulder High School.
He is both the son of a former Colorado football player and the nephew of another (Hale Irwin) who is a World Golf Hall of Fame member.
[2] Irwin scored a touchdown for the 1995 Colorado Buffaloes football team on October 28 against Nebraska.
[5][6] In 1999, he won a training camp battle with Max Lane and Todd Rucci for an opening day starting guard spot.
[9] Rams general manager Charley Armey had drafted Irwin for the Patriots, which led to his signing with the team.
[1] He also played in a total of 6 National Football League playoff games, starting 1, while being inactive for an additional three (including Super Bowl XXXI).
[16] Hale Irwin has been described as an average quarterback who became an outstanding defensive back and earned first-team All-Big 8 Conference recognition in both 1965 and 1966 as a safety before becoming a Hall of Fame golfer.