Ex-NFL Star Irving Fryar -- GETS 5 YEARS IN PRISON ... For Mortgage Fraud

Former NFL star wide receiver Irving Fryar -- who played in the league for 17 SEASONS -- was just sentenced to 5 years in prison for a mortgage fraud scheme involving his 74-year-old mom.

Earlier this year, Fryar and his mother were found guilty of conspiring to defraud banks out of more than $1.2 MILLION through a home equity loan scam.

But moments ago, the Fryars learned their fate -- Irving gets 5 years behind bars ... and his mom gets 3 years probation ... partly because of her advanced age.

Fryar was a pretty good pro -- a 5-time Pro-Bowler and won the Bart Starr Award in 1998 ... an award given to NFL players who demonstrate outstanding character and leadership.