Rivalries in football often extend beyond the final whistle. At times, some of the fiercest arguments linger long after the players have hung up their cleats. This was certainly the case when Hall of Fame wide receivers Terrell Owens and Michael Irvin reignited the debate over who deserves a higher spot on the all-time rankings.

The whole thing kicked off back in February when Owens appeared on a podcast and made a bold declaration that there was “a gap” between himself and Irvin. While he acknowledged Irvin’s impressive run with the Cowboys, he leaned heavily on the numbers. Owens pointed out his 153 touchdowns and numerous All-Pro selections, contrasting them with Irvin’s 65 touchdowns and three Super Bowl victories. For Owens, the stats tell the story. But Irvin wasn’t going to take that lying down. He responded on X, flaunting WWE-style belts to highlight his three championships with Dallas.

This back-and-forth even drew in another Hall of Famer. Andre Reed jumped into the situation with a video on Instagram, defending Owens and poking fun at critics who “sit with their chips and dip” while judging the legends. Reed called Owens a top-five receiver, and Owens quickly reshared the post with a pointed remark: “He (Irvin) knows I’m ALWAYS mentioned TOP 3 regardless of his 3 Super Bowl rings!! Lowkey hater!”

This ignited a big debate amongst the fans and analysts. Irvin’s supporters emphasized his leadership, toughness, and pivotal role as the emotional heart of the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, while Owens’ fans highlighted his individual brilliance and knack for elevating average quarterbacks. This clash essentially revived the age-old football question: Would you prefer impressive stats or a championship legacy?

As this debate rages on, Michael Irvin blasted his old team for their role in CeeDee Lamb’s injury against the Chicago Bears.

Michael Irvin slams Cowboys after CeeDee Lamb’s injury in loss to Bears

The Dallas Cowboys’ Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears was painful on multiple levels. Not only did they fall 31-14, but they also watched star wideout CeeDee Lamb exit early with an ankle injury. For franchise legend Michael Irvin, the blame pointed squarely at Dallas’ own play-calling.

The injury came on the opening drive. Lamb lined up in the backfield for a run, a wrinkle in the offense that backfired instantly. As he was tackled, his ankle twisted awkwardly. The play was later wiped out by offsetting penalties, but the damage was done. Lamb briefly tried to return, visibly limping, before being ruled out for the rest of the game. Without him, the Cowboys’ offense failed.

Irvin wasted no time unloading his frustration on his YouTube channel. “I know the new way and the new day is to do everything; I don’t want to do all of that,” Irvin said. “Like that old Kentucky Fried Chicken commercial…we do one thing, and we do it right.” He pointed directly to the Cowboys’ decision. “That’s what happened to CeeDee Lamb today. They decided early on to put Lamb in the backfield, hand him the ball, and let him run right. Somebody jumped right on him, twisted his ankle, and he left the game.”

For Irvin, the solution is simple. Let the star players do what they do best. “The Dallas Cowboys are not the Dallas Cowboys without 88,” he said. “Let him play wide receiver. We’ve got running backs back there for that.”

How will CeeDee Lamb’s injury affect Dallas’ season? Share your thoughts in the comments.