Michael Irvin admits he left locker room early to watch Michael Jackson

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Dallas Cowboys Michael Irvin (88) celebrates after a second quarter touchdown reception in Sunday, Jan. 31, 1993 Super Bowl game. Teammate Alvin Harper (80) comes in to offer his congratulations.

Halftime activities at the Super Bowl, Sunday, Jan. 31, 1993 in Pasadena. Pop star Michael Jackson dedicated his halftime show to launching his “Heal the World” Foundation.

Dallas Cowboys wide receivers Alvin Harper, left, and Michael Irvin raised their arm in victory after their team defeated the Buffalo Bills 57-17 in the Super Bowl, Sunday, Jan. 31, 1993 in Pasadena.

Fans of today are used to top artists like Lady Gaga, who will be performing Sunday at Super Bowl LI at Houston, becoming almost bigger than the Super ilbet Bowl or its commercials during their brief halftime appearance.

The festivities were kicked up a notch in 1993 when Michael Jackson performed at the break of the Dallas-Buffalo Super Bowl XXVII game in Pasadena, Calif.

Jackson was at the height of his popularity then. And his appearance, along with the Cowboys being ahead by 18 points at the time, made Dallas Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin decide to tune out Jimmy Johnson’s halftime speech to watch one of his favorites perform.

Irvin’s interest was understandable. And he had effectively put the game out of reach a few minutes before with two touchdown receptions during a span of 18 seconds, culminating a performance where he would grab six receptions for 114 yards against the leaky Buffalo secondary.

Irvin told the Rich Eisen Show Tuesday in Houston about the time he decided that “The Gloved One’s” appearance was bigger than any mere halftime show.

It was the first time the Super Bowl halftime performance drew greater audience ratings than the game itself. And Irvin had his memories of watched Jackson perform four songs: “Billie Jean,” “Black of White,” “Jam” and “Heal the World.”

Irvin didn’t lose that much focus by sneaking out.

Yes, the halftimes drag on forever — especially for those waiting in the locker rooms.

And the Cowboys cruised in the second half, winning by a 52-17 margin that is tied for the third-largest in Super Bowl history.

Here’s a video from the Rich Eisen Show where Irvin explained why watching Jackson’s performance made that show as important as any halftime break he remembered.

Tgriffin@express-news.net

Twitter: @TimGriffinBig12

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