Ex-Cowboys star Michael Irvin coming to Valley

MISSION - Michael Irvin is coming back to the Rio Grande Valley, this time as a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Irvin, who last visited the Valley in the early 1990s as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, will return for a private meet and greet night with the public during a Friday, Dec. 12 dining event at Shotz Bar & Grill in Mission.

The event, from 7 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., is open to the public for a price. Those wishing to attend must purchase one of 20 tables of six at the price of $4,000, which includes drinks, dinner, a photo with Irvin and one signed memorabilia item. There will be two tables of 10 for $10,000, which includes Irvin sitting at each table for one hour during the meal. Irvin also will give a one-hour speech.

Shotz Bar & Grill is located at 2530 E. Griffin Parkway in Mission. Those interested can call (956) 225-3111 and also can visit www.rgvexecutivetransportation.com for more information. Tables went on sale Wednesday.

"This is an event for people of the Valley that want to meet a Hall of Famer," said C.J. Cavazos, who along with bringing Irvin to the Valley has brought 25 to 30 Cowboys stars to deep South Texas, including current players Jason Witton, Marion Barber and DeMarcus Ware. "People want what they can't have. And other than (Tony) Romo and (Terrell Owens), we've brought pretty much every current Cowboys player you could want down here. We have fulfilled a lot of dreams for fans."

Cavazos reminds that this event isn't open to the public, with only those that shell out the $4,000 to $10,000 per table getting to meet Irvin. In total, Shotz Bar & Grill will have room for 120 to 140 people for the event, Cavazos said.

"I anticipate that a lot of people will show up trying to meet Mike," Cavazos said. "But unless you buy a table, that's probably not going to happen. So it's not for everyone to just show up, but I do think there will be a crowd there trying to meet him.

"He's a Hall of Famer. It means a lot to (Irvin), and he told me his speech will make you laugh, cry and smile."

Irvin, nicknamed "The Playmaker," was selected to the Hall of Fame in 2007. He joined Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith as a member of "The Triplets" during the 1990s, when the Cowboys won three Super Bowls.