FORT LAUDERDALE – Prosecutors have declined to file charges against former football star Michael Irvin for sexual assault.
A lack of evidence was cited as the reason for prosecutors to drop the case, believing they would have had a hard time getting a conviction.
"I've said all along, all along, that absolutely nothing happened," Irvin told reporters Monday at a news conference.
Irvin, a former University of Miami All-American and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver, was accused of rape after an alleged incident March 22 at the W in Fort Lauderdale.
A 27-year-old woman claimed Irvin drugged and raped her after meeting him at the hotel bar. However, in their closeout memorandum, prosecutors said a video shows the woman voluntarily entering and leaving the hotel with Irvin.
Prosecutors also said the woman had alcohol, cocaine, Xanax and Ecstasy in her system when she filed her report.
"The victim's inability to recall details, the inconsistent statements, her alcohol and drug use, coupled with the video evidence showing her voluntarily entering the hotel with the defendant and 2 1/2 hours later exiting the hotel elevator with the defendant while not appearing upset, make this a case where there is not a reasonable likelihood of conviction," the Broward County state attorney's office said in a statement.
Irvin, who said he considered the woman a family friend, said the allegation has cost him millions of dollars.
"This is as devastating as it can be," Irvin said. "I mean, it's this and murder."
Irvin said he felt sorry for the woman after seeing her toxicology report.
"It's enough evidence to, actually, go and say, 'We need to go after her for filing a false police report,'" Irvin said.
Irvin told reporters that he just wants to put this experience behind him.