Bruce Irvin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bruce Irvin

Irvin with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1987-11-01) November 1, 1987 (age 37) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	248 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:	Stephenson (Stone Mountain, Georgia)
College:	Mt. San Antonio (2008–2009) West Virginia (2010–2011)
NFL Draft:	2012 / Round: 1 / Pick: 15
Career history
Seattle Seahawks (2012–2015) Oakland Raiders (2016–2018) Atlanta Falcons (2018) Carolina Panthers (2019) Seattle Seahawks (2020) Chicago Bears (2021) Seattle Seahawks (2022) Detroit Lions (2023) Miami Dolphins (2023)
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLVIII) NFL forced fumbles co-leader (2016) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2012) First-team All-Big East (2011) Second-team All-Big East (2010)
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles: 344 Sacks: 56.5 Forced fumbles: 16 Fumble recoveries: 3 Interceptions: 3 Pass deflections: 13 Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Bruce Pernell Irvin Jr. (born November 1, 1987) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers. The Seattle Seahawks selected him in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. Irvin won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seahawks. He also played in Super Bowl XLIX.

Early Life and College Football

Bruce Irvin attended Stockbridge High School and later Stephenson High School in Georgia. He earned his GED early.

College Football Career

Irvin started his college football journey at Butler Community College. He then transferred to Mt. San Antonio College. While there, he made 72 tackles and 16 sacks. He also forced three fumbles and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery. He was recognized as a first-team All-American.

In 2010, Irvin transferred to West Virginia University (WVU). He was second in the nation for sacks with 14. He was named a second-team All-Big East player.

Professional Football Career

Joining the NFL

Bruce Irvin showed great speed and athleticism before the 2012 NFL draft. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, which was very fast for a defensive lineman. The Seattle Seahawks chose him as the 15th overall pick in the first round. This made him the highest-selected player from West Virginia since 2005.

Seattle Seahawks (2012–2015)

Irvin in 2015

Rookie Season: 2012

Irvin started his professional career as a defensive end for the Seahawks. He played his first regular season game against the Arizona Cardinals. On September 16, 2012, he recorded his first career tackles and a half-sack against the Dallas Cowboys. He had his first game with multiple sacks against the Green Bay Packers. In Week 5, he got two sacks and forced his first fumble against the Carolina Panthers. He finished his rookie season with eight sacks. He was also named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Irvin played in his first playoff game against the Washington Redskins. He sacked their quarterback, Robert Griffin III. He then started his first playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Super Bowl Champion: 2013

The Seahawks moved Irvin to outside linebacker for the 2013 season. He made his first career start in Week 5 against the Indianapolis Colts. On October 28, 2013, he had nine tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and his first career interception against the St. Louis Rams.

The Seahawks had a great season, finishing with a 13–3 record. They won the NFC Championship and went on to play in Super Bowl XLVIII. On February 2, 2014, Irvin helped the Seahawks defeat the Denver Broncos 43–8, becoming a Super Bowl champion.

Super Bowl XLIX: 2014

Irvin continued as the strongside linebacker in 2014. He had a strong season, recording 6.5 sacks. He also made two interceptions, returning both for touchdowns. One was a 35-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. The other was a 49-yard touchdown against the Rams.

The Seahawks reached the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. On February 2, 2015, Irvin started in Super Bowl XLIX against the New England Patriots. He recorded two tackles and a sack on Tom Brady. Near the end of the game, he was ejected after a disagreement with an opposing player. He was the first player ever ejected from a Super Bowl.

2015 Season

In 2015, Irvin remained a key part of the Seahawks' linebacker group. He recorded 5.5 sacks and two pass deflections. He missed one game due to an MCL sprain. The Seahawks finished with a 10–6 record and made it to the NFC divisional round.

Oakland Raiders (2016–2018)

2016 Season

On March 10, 2016, Irvin signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders. He became the starting strongside linebacker. In the season opener, he had a sack against Drew Brees in a win over the New Orleans Saints. He recorded a season-high ten tackles against the Houston Texans in Mexico City. In Week 15, he had two sacks against the San Diego Chargers. He was named the American Football Conference (AFC) Defensive Player of the Week for his performance. He finished the season with seven sacks. The Raiders made the playoffs, and Irvin started his first playoff game for them.

2017 Season

Irvin tackles Samaje Perine in a game against the Washington Redskins

In 2017, Irvin continued to be a strong player for the Raiders. He recorded two sacks against the Denver Broncos in November. The next week, he had eight tackles and a sack against the New York Giants. He finished the 2017 season with a career-high eight sacks and 58 combined tackles.

2018 Season

Irvin started the 2018 season with a strip-sack against the Los Angeles Rams. He recorded his 40th career sack against the Los Angeles Chargers. He played eight games for the Raiders before being released.

Atlanta Falcons (2018)

On November 7, 2018, Irvin signed with his hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons. He played eight games for them, recording 3.5 sacks and 13 tackles.

Carolina Panthers (2019)

Irvin (55) in a game against the Redskins

Irvin signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers on March 19, 2019. In Week 16, he sacked Jacoby Brissett twice against the Indianapolis Colts.

Return to Seattle Seahawks (2020)

Irvin re-signed with the Seahawks on April 23, 2020. Unfortunately, he suffered a torn ACL in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Chicago Bears (2021)

On November 18, 2021, Irvin joined the Chicago Bears practice squad. He was later promoted to the active roster. In a game against his former team, the Seahawks, Irvin's pressure helped secure a 25–24 victory for the Bears.

Third Stint with Seattle Seahawks (2022)

Irvin re-signed with the Seahawks practice squad on October 12, 2022. He played with the team starting in Week 7 and was signed to the active roster in November.

Detroit Lions (2023)

On November 14, 2023, Irvin signed with the Detroit Lions practice squad. He was released by the Lions in January 2024.

Miami Dolphins (2023)

On January 9, 2024, Irvin signed with the Miami Dolphins.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

See also

In Spanish: Bruce Irvin (fútbol americano) para niños