A native of Knoxville, TN, Tim Irwin grew up following Big Orange football, so it came as no surprise when offered an opportunity to play for Tennessee, he jumped at the chance. He was one of 30 players who signed football scholarships with the Volunteers in 1976, and of that number nine went on to play in the NFL.
While at Tennessee, he was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in both 1979 and 1980. His senior year, Tim was named All-SEC tackle, Academic All American, SEC Athlete of the Year Nominee for the University of Tennessee, and also won a NCAA Post-Scholarship Award for academic work in pre-law.
Irwin was a third-round draft pick in 1981, and played in the NFL from 1981 to 1994, including a 13-year career with the Minnesota Vikings. While playing pro football, he earned his law degree in 1990 and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar. He practiced law in Knoxville until 2005 when he was appointed Judge of the Juvenile Court of Knox County.
He was a co-founder of the Catholic Youth Football League, and has sponsored the Tim Irwin/Food City Bass Tournament since 1987. Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley, and has raised over $700,000 since 1989. He has been inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame and the National Boys and Girls Clubs Alumni Hall of Fame.