LeRoy Irvin, a standout cornerback and special teams player for the Los Angeles Rams during the 1980s, has died at the age of 68, the Rams organization announced Thursday. Irvin passed away on Wednesday after a prolonged battle with throat cancer, according to freelance sports journalist Eric Geller.

Born on September 15, 1957, in Fort Dix, New Jersey, Irvin grew up playing running back at Glenn Hills High School in Augusta, Georgia. He credited his running style to former NFL star O.J. Simpson, a skill that he said helped launch his professional career. Transitioning to defensive back in college, Irvin developed a reputation as a strong runner and punt returner.

At the University of Kansas, Irvin was a key player for the Jayhawks. In his senior year in 1979, he led the Big Eight Conference with 27 punt returns totaling 321 yards and scored two touchdowns, while also intercepting five passes. Over four seasons with Kansas, he compiled 42 punt returns for 454 yards and two touchdowns, along with 10 interceptions.

Selected by Los Angeles in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft, Irvin spent a decade with the Rams. He is remembered for setting an NFL record in 1981 with 207 punt return yards in a single game against the Atlanta Falcons, a mark that still stands. On October 11 of that year, he returned six punts for 207 yards, including two touchdowns of 75 and 84 yards, contributing to a 37-35 Rams victory.

Irvin holds the Rams franchise record for the most non-offensive touchdowns scored, with a total of 11—comprised of five interception returns, four punt returns, one fumble recovery return, and one blocked field goal return. He is also tied with Janoris Jenkins and Eddie Meador for the most pick-sixes in Rams history. Over his NFL career, which included a final season with the Detroit Lions in 1990, he recorded 35 interceptions for 676 yards and returned 147 punts for 1,457 yards.

After retiring from professional football, Irvin pursued work as a coach, broadcaster, and businessman. His former Rams teammate and business partner, Eric Dickerson, expressed his grief on social media, calling Irvin a "lockdown corner," a fierce competitor, and a great friend who brought tremendous energy to those around him.

The Rams organization extended condolences to Irvin’s family and friends, describing him as a "Rams Legend" and mourning his passing. No further details about his death were released.