GERALD IRONS

Gerald D. Irons Sr. was a professional football player who played 10 seasons in the National Football League(NFL). Irons was born in Gary, Indiana, and attended Gary Roosevelt High School graduating in 1966. He played on Gary Roosevelt's football team four consecutive years, as well as on its basketball team. He was an honorable mention at tackle on the Northwestern Indiana High School conference football coaches' 1965 All-Star team, selected for the Chicago Tribune.

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 played on the Hawks football team at defensive end, linebacker, offensive guard and on special teams, seldom leaving the field of play. Even as a freshman, he was considered a leading player on the Hawks defense. As a sophomore, he was honorable mention on The Baltimore Sun's All-State Small College Football Team at middle guard. 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 also captain of the football team.

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 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. The Raiders won first place in the American Football Conference's (AFC) West Division from 1972 through 1975. Over his six-year Raider career, Irons started 56 games, with seven interceptions, nine sacks and two fumble recoveries. 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.

In 1984, he was inducted into the UMES Hawks Hall of Fame. In 2013, Irons was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame. He was named an "Oakland Raiders Legend" and one of the 100 Greatest Cleveland Browns. Irons is the first NFL player to have a school named in his honor.