In the last decade, the National Football League has seen two teams duke it out to become the best in the league.

These teams would be none other than the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. The Cowboys won three of the last four Super Bowls, thus giving them the title. But after looking behind closed doors, one might think differently.

Their on field success is comparable, but off the field they possess contrasting styles. After looking at the lifestyles of the two great receivers on each respective team, the comparison is made easy.

Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin’s names are always mentioned as the top performers at their position. They are staples on highlight films and pro bowl teams. Each has comparable talent levels, but the off-field image of both players contrasts in many different ways.

Everyone knows of Jerry Rice’s work ethic. His grueling off-season schedule of conditioning has paid off. After 12 years in the league, he is still the best receiver in the game. This dedication to his job carries over to his family life. During the past year, Rice’s family endured the near loss of his wife, Jackie, because of child birth complications.

On May 16, 1996, Jerry, Jackie, and their two children Jacqui and Jerry Jr., went to the hospital to invite another into their family. Everything went well during Jada’s delivery, but the complications occurred when the placenta would not leave Jackie’s body. She went under and had to have surgery. The placenta had grown into the uterine wall.

All during that time, Jerry stood by her side and insisted that the baby be there also. Every day Jada was lain on Jackie’s chest. Dr. Nick Spirtos was amazed at the perseverance of Rice. “He lived there, I have never seen such patience.”

After being questioned about the loss to Carolina earlier this year, Rice said, “What happened on Sunday, we can come back and redeem ourselves. What happened to my wife … I was so close to losing her forever.”

Irvin on the other hand, doesn’t show such compassion for a hard work ethic or family values. On March 4, 1996, he was arrested for the possession of some drugs and paraphernalia, along with a few “topless” models.

I wonder what was going through Sandi’s (Irvin’s wife) mind, when she heard of the news. I’m sure she wasn’t proud of the fact. His arrogance wasn’t even controlled by the Dallas Police Department.

The first words to leave his mouth when he was arrested were, “Can I tell you who I am?” He was so stuck on himself that when the cops handcuffed him, he thought he should be exempt from common civilian law. His flamboyance continues throughout the judicial process. When appearing before the grand jury in March, he wore a fur coat, and when he was reindicted two days later, Irvin sported a lavender coat and pants, along with lavender-and-dark-red alligator loafers. Not quite the image needed to assume sympathy from the jury.

After all is said and done, it is quite obvious that Rice deserves more praise than Irvin. Not only for his play on the field, but for his overall class in handling tough situations.

Brian Klein is a sophomore in journalism from LaMars, Iowa.