Rams legend LeRoy Irvin’s cause of death revealed

Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback LeRoy Irvin died earlier this month after a growth in his neck prevented him from breathing properly, according to a copy of his death certificate.

The document, obtained by The California Post this week, officially listed the immediate cause of Irvin’s passing as “acute hypoxic respiratory failure from neck mass obstruction.”

It also stated aspiration pneumonia and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma — a type of cancer that affects the nose, throat and mouth — were contributing conditions.

Irvin appeared to have been battling health issues for years, as according to the document, he had previously dealt with lymphoma, Pakinson’s disease, dementia, hypertension and prostate cancer.

The death certificate also noted that on June 14 — just a few weeks before he died — he underwent a tracheostomy in an apparent effort to help him breathe easier.

Irvin was formally pronounced deceased at 4:28 a.m. on July 2 at a hospital in San Diego. His death certificate revealed he was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea off the coast of Rosarito in Mexico.

He was 68 years old.

Irvin was picked by the Rams in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft, and he went on to have a storied career for the team.

In 10 seasons, he racked up 34 interceptions and returned five of them for touchdowns. He also worked as the team’s kick returner and punt returner, and was named to two Pro Bowl rosters.

He went on to finish his time in the NFL with the Detroit Lions in 1990.

Eric Dickerson, one of Irvin’s longtime teammates, described the ex-Rams defensive back on the day of his death as “a lockdown corner and a fierce competitor” who “was a true friend and a great man” off the field.

“Rest in peace, my brother,” Dickerson said.

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