In a recent interview with Fox 59’s Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay discussed a winter update on his health difficulties.
In January, authorities stated that Irsay was discovered “laying in his bed unresponsive, cold to the touch, and gasping for air” during a suspected overdose in early December.
After weeks of being out of the spotlight, the Colts issued a statement on Jan. 9 stating that the 64-year-old was “being treated for a severe respiratory illness,” adding that he was receiving “excellent care” and that there were no more updates.
On Jan. 17, TMZ Sports reported that police paperwork showed policemen were summoned to his apartment “around 4:30 a.m.” on Dec. 8, after “someone said they found Irsay unconscious on a bathroom floor with a blue skin tone.”
According to the report, officers prepared to attach an automated external defibrillator (AED) to Irsay before paramedics arrived and “took over lifesaving efforts.” He was brought to a local hospital, and authorities reported the incident as both a “overdose” and a “overdose/poisoning.”
“It wasn’t an overdose,” Irsay informed Chappell. “I’m not sure why when your name has previously appeared in the paper, people rush to publicize it. I don’t pay much attention to it, but I don’t believe it’s fair.”
The longstanding chairman and CEO also stated that he wanted to “let the fans and Colts Nation know that” he was in “good shape” and had “hands on the reins [of the franchise] in a strong way.” That comment echoed his social media post from early February, in which he stated that he was “on the mend.”
According to Chappell’s account, responders to Irsay’s winter fear reported the incident as a probable overdose, contradicting the official police report. Irsay informed Chappell that he was “treating a leg injury” that had resulted in a severe hematoma.
According to the story, he then had extensive surgery to treat a back/leg condition, which “required a lengthy stay in the hospital.”
“Irsay noted he’s been ‘home for quite a while’ and has kept in constant contact with general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen,” Chappell said in a statement. “Irsay’s latest surgery has greatly limited his mobility and will keep him from taking his normal prominent place in the Colts’ draft war room at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center starting Thursday evening.”
Irsay, who has previously spoken openly about his struggles with alcohol and painkiller addiction, was named the team’s vice president and general manager in 1984, one month following the transfer from Baltimore to Indianapolis. He held those positions until 1996 and has been the owner, chairman, and CEO since 1997.
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