Jim Irsay, Former Owner of the Colts, Battled Relapses Before Dying

Jim Irsay, former Colts owner, and his battles against addiction

Former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay faced relapses in his battle with painkiller addiction before his death in May, according to recent reports. Sources close to Irsay, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, revealed details about the former owner’s relapses. Irsay passed away on May 21, and the team announced that he died “peacefully in his sleep”. The report indicates that Irsay suffered at least three overdoses since February 2020, including two within a twelve-day period. The first occurred in December 2023 at his residence on the outskirts of Indianapolis, and the second in January 2024 in Miami. The prolonged absence of Irsay during the following four months drew attention, an unusually long period for someone who was actively involved in the daily operations of the Colts. At that time, it was reported that Irsay was absent due to a “serious respiratory illness”. Irsay’s daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, who represent the third generation of the family leading the team, declined interviews but issued a statement.

“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 with addiction and mental health. He never claimed to be perfect. Instead, he used his voice to reduce stigma and advocate for those facing similar challenges with honesty, vulnerability, and compassion,” they expressed.

Statement from Jim Irsay’s daughters

In recent months, Irsay had also been medicated with ketamine, a general anesthetic. Police were called to the hotel room in Beverly Hills, California, where he died. Irsay began his career in American football as a ball boy for the Baltimore Colts in the 1970s. In 1984, he became the youngest general manager in NFL history, at 24 years old, when the Colts moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis. He assumed ownership of the team after his father’s death in 1997 and played a prominent role in league committees, before and 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 on September 7 for the season opener.