Former Miami Dolphins Irving Spikes Representing

Former Miami Dolphins and Alabama player Irving Spikes Sr. serves as a
Representer helping kids stay focus mentally working toward positive goals including his son Irving Jr.


 Over 10 years have passed since Irving Spikes has dominated the fields of the NFL. Having been an All- State Player at Ocean Springs High School in the late 1980's and later went on to play for the University Of Alabama. But that wasn't it for the life of Spikes, God had plans for him and he went on to play with the Miami Dolphins. Little did we know when asked by Yuntwine to run a story on Spikes that this man was not only great at what he did but loved it. So much that he molded his son Irving Spikes Jr. to be a force to be reckoned with on the field. Spikes lead the AFC in kickoff returns and from what one of his Miami Dolphin teammates shared he was the perfect hand in Larry Ixxo's punt deflection against Indianapolis Colts. Saying at 204 lbs. Spikes didn't possess the speed of some or even the fancy footworks of most running backs but he was fast enough being so low to the turf and cutting edges on gravity, players only had two choices. And they knew it , either hit him low time you get up on him or watch him dig into that field for another 10-13 yards or more. Jimmy Johnson would make plans with his team to stop this man Irving Spikes. So as we gather information on this man Spikes it kept growing.  Below are conversations mentioned about Spikes during his days of the NFL. 

"It's a challenge for us because we've got a smaller coverage unit," Houston coach Jeff Fisher says. Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson, however, thinks the Oilers will be up to it. He calls Fisher's special teams "the best we've faced this season."

Spikes is not a return man who gets by on finesse. He is strictly a north-south runner with a lot of balance and a running back's knack for anticipating where holes are going to come open and timing them for maximum efficiency.

His 25.6-yard average places him ahead of Aaron Bailey of Indianapolis (25.1) and Gray of the Oilers (25.1). And unlike some of the slippery, elusive returners, he has achieved his leading average without the stat-padding aid of a long touchdown run back.

The closest Spikes has come to breaking one is a 59-yard return on the opening kickoff against Seattle.

"Maybe Jerris McPhail beats that guy for a touchdown, but that's the only difference between them," said fullback Robert Wilson, who is in the kamikaze wedge of blockers in front of Spikes.

But if there is such a thing as a starter on special teams, Spikes is one. His return work has helped the Dolphins to an average start at the 28.3, fifth best in the AFC. 

Then comes the trouble we all too often hear guys in the NFL and other sports getting into. That set his life to a new tone. Yuntwine said he and Spikes stays in touch and that he is a great friend to him and knows first hand that he is a Representer. "I haven't spoken to Irving Jr. in a minute since he went off to college but I talked with Irving Sr. and he is doing fine. I watched Irving play while with Miami and when I cut the videos for his son watching game after game and play after play it was like seeing Irving on the field again. I was more than honored to work with them," says RYC Founder Yuntwine English.  

Spikes told Yuntwine one of his old slogans after they met to attend a basketball game one night when Yuntwine mentioned to him of starting Represent Your City Inc,  "You can always shoot for the moon Demetrius, but if you reach just a little bit further you can grab a star. But always remember it is so easy to fall. Yuntwine says he has kept those thoughts in his head. And held on to the friendship , motivation and support that Irving Spikes, Terrell Buckley also Miami Dolphins and several other NFL teams legend and Evander Holyfield gave him. When Yuntwine last visited Evander at his mansion in Atlanta , he had few words with him because he had to get ready to fly out. But he told him never let a person tell you what you can't do.   

But when asked who is Irving Spikes we all must say he is a Representer. He loves working with kids and is able and gifted in recognizing talent from the door. He is always trying to be there to show his support. So we want to send a shout out to Irving Spikes and say keep doing what you are doing brother because, You Be Representing !!!!!

Irving Spikes #40 Miami Dolphins