Jim Irsay: Details Revealed About His Recent Years
Former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay faced relapses related to his addiction to painkillers before his death in May, according to reports. Sources close to Irsay revealed details about his problems, requesting anonymity for fear of retaliation. Irsay passed away on May 21. The team announced that his death occurred “peacefully while sleeping”. The report indicates that Irsay suffered at least three overdoses since February 2020. One of them occurred in December 2023 at his residence outside Indianapolis and another in January 2024 in Miami. His prolonged absence for four months was notable, as Irsay used to be involved in the daily operations of the Colts. At that time, the team reported that Irsay was suffering from a “serious respiratory illness”. Irsay’s daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, now run the team. They declined interview requests but issued a statement.The report also mentions that Irsay was prescribed ketamine, a general anesthetic, in his final months. Police were called to the hotel room in Beverly Hills, California, where Irsay died. Irsay began his career in football as a ball boy for the Baltimore Colts in the 1970s. In 1984, at the age of 24, he became the youngest general manager in NFL history when the Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis. Following his father’s death in 1997, he assumed ownership of the team and played a significant role in league committees, even after the Colts won the Super Bowl in 2006. Jim Irsay will be honored in the team’s “ring of honor” when the Miami Dolphins visit Indianapolis for the start of the season on September 7.We continue to mourn the loss of our father, a man defined not only by his role as the owner of the Colts, but also by his resilience, his personal struggles, and his deep love for family, friends, and community. Throughout his life, our father was open about his battles against addiction and mental health. He never pretended to be perfect. Instead, he used his voice to reduce stigma and advocate for those facing similar challenges with honesty, vulnerability, and compassion.
Statement from Jim Irsay’s daughters
