Last week, former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman David Irving created some waves when he claimed that Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett has some difficulty communicating with black players.
Now, former Dallas safety Darren Woodson is leaping to Garrett's defense, calling Irving's assertion “ridiculous”:
“That's ridiculous,” said Woodson on 105.3 The Fan. “… I don't even want to spend the time talking about David Irving and those comments. Listen, I've known Jason Garrett since 1993, and have become good friends with he and his wife. I know the family, not only Jason, but his father, his brother. … It's just hard to swallow these shots going his way when I know the man's heart, and I know who he is as a person. For people to take shots at him, I don't care if it's a current player or former player, I know who Jason Garrett is. I know the man, and I'm a firm believer in him, and have a ton of confidence in him.”
Irving had a shaky relationship with Garrett during his four-year tenure with the Cowboys, so it's entirely possible that Irving's comments are coming from bitterness.
The 25-year-old informally announced his sudden retirement from the NFL earlier this offseason after playing in just two games with Dallas this past season due to suspensions and a high-ankle sprain.
Irving is currently facing an indefinite suspension as a result of violating the league's substance abuse policy if he does decide to return to football.
His best season came in 2017 when he totaled 22 tackles, seven sacks, and a forced fumble.