Michael Irvin Rips ESPN for ‘Classless' NFL Draft Coverage of Reuben Bain

Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin is known for his fierce loyalty to his alma mater, the University of Miami, where he played his college football as a wide receiver.

That loyalty and fandom were on full display during this past NCAA season, as he was seen on the sidelines rooting for his squad as they advanced all the way through the College Football Playoffs to the National Championship Game in Miami.

While the Hurricanes lost to Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers, multiple players from Miami became standouts worthy of NFL teams drafting or signing them. That included Reuben Bain Jr., a serious defensive presence on the football field.

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He became the No. 15 pick in the NFL Draft, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keeping him in Florida and adding his talents to bolster their defense beginning in the upcoming season.

In three seasons at Miami, Bain had 121 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one interception.

He was among the prospects invited to attend the NFL Draft, with the first round beginning last Thursday. Once NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced him as the No. 15 pick, ESPN’s cameras showed Bain putting on the Buccaneers cap and making his way to the stage to shake hands with Goodell.

In a recent video rant, Irvin wasn’t happy with ESPN’s coverage of Bain during the NFL Draft, calling the network “classless” for bringing attention to a perceived negative aspect that could’ve impacted his draft position: the length of his arms.

“These mother brothers out here they don’t ever stop from somehow, someway trying to assault us, and what I watched ESPN do was an assault on a young man from Miami, and it was absolutely classless and uncalled for,” he said.

“When he was walking, did you see the info bar? It had his arm length. I said, ‘Are you [expletive] me?’ You’re supposed to have a highlight here, not a lowlight! Not something that everybody has been talking about that has made this man fall down,” Irvin said in part of his fiery rant.

“I thought it was totally classless to do that,” Irvin said, mentioning they could’ve focused more on positive aspects like how many sacks he had and leading Miami to the Championship Game.

“It’s supposed to be a happy moment, and ESPN put up some- It was garbage to me,” he said.

The NFL.com listed “short arms” among Bain’s weaknesses, suggesting they would “get him crowded at the point of attack.” However, the outlet also gave him a strong 6.70 grade as a prospect, indicating he would be a first-year starter possessing “Power like a defensive tackle with agility like an edge.”

In a recent NFL Draft grades article, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. noted that much pre-draft attention was about Bain’s short arms, but also said that he has “consistent ability to get home with all his other traits.”

Time will tell whether Tampa Bay got the right player for their needs, and it may not take long to see how much Bain contributes as he’ll be an immediate starter for the Bucs’ defense.

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This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 11:52 AM.