By The Associated Press

PLANO, Texas – Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Michael Irvin was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after Plano police officers searched his vehicle during a traffic stop.

Irvin, an ESPN analyst and semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, told The Associated Press late Sunday that the drug pipe found in his car belonged to a friend of 17 years who left a Houston rehab center and came to Irvin’s house in Carrollton for Thanksgiving. Irvin wouldn’t reveal his friend’s name.

Irvin said he put the pipe in his car because he didn’t want it in his house where his children might find it. He said he planned to drive somewhere the next day, like a grocery trash bin, and throw the pipe away but forgot.

“It’s a situation that is not as it seemed,” said Irvin.

“We are reviewing the facts of the situation and have no comment at this time,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said. In 1996, Irvin pleaded no contest to felony cocaine possession in exchange for four years of deferred probation, a $10,000 fine and dismissal of misdemeanor marijuana possession charges.

Eagles say Cowboys tampered with Owens

NEW YORK – The Philadelphia Eagles have filed a tampering complaint against the Dallas Cowboys after Dallas owner Jerry Jones suggested on a radio show that his team is often interested in players such as suspended wide receiver Terrell Owens.

“In general, I am a risk-taker. We’ve gone down that road,” Jones said when asked if the Cowboys might be interested in Owens. “I probably have a propensity to try and make things work. … A top receiver could flourish with Drew Bledsoe. That’s always appealing.”‘

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