On Feb. 5, the network's local radio affiliate removed Irvin from its programming before the end of his contract. A day earlier, a woman had filed a civil suit against Irvin for an alleged sexual assault in July 2007 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

On Wednesday, the Broward County, Fla., State Attorney's office concluded an investigation into the allegations by saying it would not pursue charges against Irvin. The prosecutors found inconsistencies in the account of the woman, Nicole Alisa Mostafa, and pointed out that she met with three lawyers before reporting the alleged assault to police.

"It's been a horrific ordeal," said Irvin, a former Cowboys receiver. "I am so pleased that trained investigators concluded what she claimed occurred never happened."

Mostafa's civil suit remains in the early "answer" stage. Larry Friedman, Irvin's attorney for more than a decade, said ESPN could be drawn into the affair.

"We're seriously considering a suit against ESPN," Friedman said. "They fired Michael Irvin immediately after Ms. Mostafa filed the lawsuit and made public the false allegations that hurt Michael Irvin and his career."

Irvin, speaking at Friedman's office, would not take questions but pointedly thanked the NFL Network for retaining him. He is scheduled to resume his duties with the cable channel this weekend at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

"This has been very difficult on me and my family," said Irvin, anger rising in his voice. "This has been the very thing I have so tried to avoid."