LeRoy Irvin arrived as a third-round pick out of Kansas in 1980 and made his mark first as a return man. In his second season, he led the NFL in punt return yards and yards per return, earning First-Team All-Pro honors as a special-teams player. Against Atlanta that year, he returned two punts for touchdowns and set a still-standing single-game record with 207 return yards. He was quick, decisive, and dangerous with the ball in his hands. The Rams used him sparingly on returns after that, but the early reputation was already set.

He transitioned into a full-time cornerback and became a steady presence in the secondary. In 1985 and 1986, he earned Pro Bowl selections. The second of those seasons brought another First-Team All-Pro nod, this time at his natural position. Irvin was a ball-hawking corner with quick feet and a willingness to jump routes. He finished his Rams career with 34 interceptions and returned five of them for touchdowns. He also scored four times on special teams, giving him 10 total touchdowns. Those numbers came while the Rams made the playoffs seven times during his tenure, including NFC Championship appearances in 1985 and 1989.

The strongest stretch was clear. The early return success and the mid-decade Pro Bowl seasons showed he could produce in two different roles. After 1986, the interception totals dropped, and the individual awards stopped. He remained a starter for a few more seasons, but the big plays became less frequent. The Rams released him after the 1989 season.

Irvin spent one final year with Detroit before retiring. With the Rams, he was a two-time Pro Bowler and a rare player who earned First-Team All-Pro honors as both a punt returner and a cornerback. He compiled 34 interceptions with 2,240 all-purpose yards.