Former Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin has revealed that his wife, Sandy, has been battling early-onset Alzheimer's disease for several years.
Michael Irvin, the Pro Football Hall of Famer and former wide receiver, shared this personal news with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He disclosed that his 58-year-old wife, Sandy, has been dealing with the disease for about 5 or 6 years. The couple, both aged 58, have been married since 1990.
Irvin first shared Sandy’s diagnosis with patrons at his Playmakers88 sports bar in The Colony, Texas. He explained that Sandy struggles with walking and speaking and requires 24-hour care, supported by a live-in caretaker. Irvin also asked for prayers for his family during this challenging time.
“If anyone has earned the right to stay in her house, MY WIFE HAS!!!” Irvin told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram via text, emphasizing that he has no plans to place her in a care facility. “That I shall honor. No matter what it takes," he added.
Early-onset Alzheimer's is relatively rare, typically affecting those under 65, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Most diagnoses occur in people in their 40s and 50s, and obtaining an accurate diagnosis can be a long and frustrating process. The cause of early-onset Alzheimer’s in most cases remains unknown, but scientists have identified several rare genes that directly cause the disease in a few hundred families worldwide.
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer's, with 6.9 million of those aged 65 and older living with the disease in 2024.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Waqi'ah : 57
It is We Who created you. Will you not then believe ˹in resurrection˺?
