Somewhere out there, beyond the moon and the stars, Walter Irvin must've been smiling. His little boy had made him proud. And it wasn't just because his son, Michael, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night. Or that he started his speech with a prayer, which would've made Walter, a preacher, happy. Walter had to be pleased with the man his son is trying to become. "I thank God for the help of my father Walter Irvin, whom I lost at age 17. He was my hero, and I'm telling you, he loved the Dallas Cowboys," Irvin said. "I woke up this morning smiling and knowing that my father would not be here in the flesh, but that he is in heaven watching and celebrating with his all-time favorite coach ? coach Tom Landry." Several times during an emotional 26-minute induction speech, Irvin alluded to the scandals that have tarnished his reputation, embarrassed his family and caused his wife, Sandi, to cry herself to sleep more than once. He offered no excuses for his behavior; only apologies.