Gerald Irons

Gerald Dwayne Irons Sr. (May 2, 1947 – April 1, 2021) was an American professional football player who played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL). His youngest son Grant Irons played for the Oakland Raiders. Eldest son Gerald, Jr. played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and middle son Jarrett was the fifth junior elected captain for the Michigan Wolverines. He had several nephews and great-nephews who have played in the NFL, David Irons, Kenny Irons and Paul Irons. Gerald has been listed among the 100 greatest Cleveland Browns of all time.

Early life Irons was born on May 2, 1947, in Gary, Indiana, the youngest of seven children. As a senior, Irons was a muscular 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m), 200 lb. (90.7 kg). He was honorable mention at tackle on the Northwestern Indiana High School conference football coaches' 1965 All-Star team, selected for the Chicago Tribune.

College

Maryland State College Irons received a football scholarship to attend the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (known as Maryland State College at the time), part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in 1970. He was on the dean's list in college.

As a freshman and sophomore in 1966-1967, his teammates included, among others, future Hall of Fame tackle and Oakland Raider teammate Art Shell (1970-75). Even as a freshman, he was considered a leading player on the Hawks' defense, along with Shell. As a junior, he was selected first-team All-CIAA at defensive end. In 1969, he was first-team on the Baltimore Sun 's All-State College Team at linebacker.

During his time in college, he was captain of the football team, Student Government Association vice-president, and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Professional football career

Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders selected Irons in the third round of the 1970 NFL draft, 76th overall. Irons played for the Raiders from 1970 to 1975, during which time the Raiders were in the playoffs five of six seasons. He played under Hall of Fame head coach John Madden. He became the team's starting right linebacker in 1972, with two interceptions and two quarterback sacks; and started every Raider game through the 1975 season. Over his six-year Raider career, Irons started 56 games, with seven interceptions, nine sacks and two fumble recoveries. Earlier in the game, Irons had made a key tackle on scrambling Steelers' quarterback Terry Bradshaw preventing a first down; forcing the Steelers into a long field goal attempt that Steelers' kicker Roy Gerela missed.

Cleveland Browns In April 1976, the Raiders traded Irons to the Cleveland Browns for a second round draft choice. Irons became the Browns starting right linebacker, and started every game during his first three years in Cleveland. During those three years, he had six interceptions, 5.5 sacks and one fumble recovery. He was named an "Oakland Raiders Legend" and one of the 100 Greatest Cleveland Browns.

Irons started with The Woodlands in the 1980s as director of office leasing and commercial/industrial land sales. By 1997, still in that role, the community had 50,000 residents. Super Bowl XXXVIII was played in Houston on February 1, 2004. Irons headed a steering committee for The Woodlands that brought a number of significant Super Bowl related events, and significant income, to The Woodlands.

He later worked as vice president of business development for Colliers International.

Public service Irons learned Japanese as a hobby. He won reelection and served on the CISD Board for over two decades, before resigning in June 2011. He served as a liaison for United States Senator John Glenn of Ohio.

Irons was a speaker, The three sons graduated Conroe ISD high schools. All five members of the Irons family were selected and honored by The Woodlands residents as "Original Hometown Heroes" for their community service, at The Woodlands 25th Year Celebration.

Gerald Jr. played nose tackle at the University of Nebraska. Jarrett was an All-American football player at the University of Michigan where he was the all-time leading tackler as of 2010. He participated in the Arizona Cardinals 1997 training camp, but was cut before playing any NFL games. Grant played defensive line at the University of Notre Dame where he was twice team captain. He then played five years in the NFL, 2002 with the Buffalo Bills and 2003-2006 for the Oakland Raiders. The school, a feeder school for Oak Ridge High School, opened in August 2012 near Conroe.

Irons was an Elder and Founding Member of Impact Church of The Woodlands. Irons' family believed that the head traumas Irons received while playing football may have contributed to the depression, Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia from which he suffered prior to his death.