The towering former National Football League player and Knoxville attorney Tim Irwin said he will have a "giant legacy to follow" after Knox County commissioners unanimously approved him Monday to succeed the late Carey Garrett as Juvenile Court judge.

The commissioners' vote came moments after Cynthia Chapman, the chief referee in Juvenile Court and the only other person considered for the interim post, withdrew her name from consideration.

Irwin and Chapman had taken out petitions to run for the judgeship in the Republican primary next year. Chapman said she met with Irwin last week, however, and decided that she would not campaign for the seat.

Irwin was the favored candidate preceding Monday's decision as several county commissioners speculated that he already had the necessary 10 votes.

The private practice attorney was immediately sworn in following the vote and said he expects to be on the bench this morning. Irwin seemed humble, however, at the prospect of "following in the footsteps" of Garrett, who died earlier this month after serving 23 years as Knox County's Juvenile Court judge.

"It's an honor to be chosen to follow in his footsteps," said Irwin. "I look forward to serving the kids."

He added that he expects to draw on his experience as a parent in the new position.

"You have to be a tough-love advocate," he said. "You have a clear body of law, but you also have the best interest of the child."

A former University of Tennessee and Minnesota Vikings player, the 47-year-old Irwin primarily practices criminal and juvenile law. He has also served as a special judge in Sessions Court.

Irwin said he has no plans to make any significant changes in the court, and he expects his greatest challenge to be bringing himself up to speed and acclimating to the caseload.

As for his private law practice, as well as his work as a professional sports agent, Irwin said he would not accept any new clients in either field and that his current client roster would be "tapered down" until he fulfills those commitments.

Chapman, who has served for nearly eight years as a court referee and, like Irwin, was appointed as a special judge to hear cases, said she reversed her decision, in part, for the best interest of the court.

With Irwin's favored chances for the appointment, Chapman said the possibility of continuing to work under Irwin while running as his campaign opponent seemed too problematic.

"I definitely believe that I made a decision in the court's best interest," she said.

Chapman said Irwin decided against appointing a "chief referee," as Garrett did, although she will continue to serve as one of five referees in the court. She said she expects to be sworn in by Irwin today.

Hayes Hickman may be reached at 865-342-6323.