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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'It's not a moral issue:' Remembering Jim Irsay's brave fight against addiction
Jim Irsay passed away in his sleep during the afternoon of May 21. The official cause of death has not been disclosed, but given the significant health challenges that confronted the Indianapolis Colts owner over the years and the personal demons that severely impacted the course of his very public life, it is natural to wonder. With all due respect, I'd suspect that his heart was in good shape. At least when it came to goodwill. As the tributes flowed while news spread of Irsay's death at 65, the part of his complex legacy that involved his 'Kicking The Stigma Action Fund' resonated. The campaign, launched by the Colts in 2021, provided $31 million in grants to raise awareness for dealing with mental health and addiction issues, supporting research, non-profits and other organizations. Irsay, who battled alcoholism and drug addiction for decades – by his own account, he had at least 15 stints in rehab – tried to turn his adversity into a positive to help others. That's heart. Of course, the most public indication of Irsay's challenge came in 2014, when he pled guilty for operating a vehicle while intoxicated not far from his home in suburban Carmel, Ind. When arrested, he was also in possession of illegal prescription drugs and more than $29,000 in cash. The incident resulted in a six-game suspension from the NFL and $500,000 fine – and much public shaming. Reflecting in 2023 with HBO's Real Sports, Irsay contended his arrest was not above board. 'I'm prejudiced against because I'm a rich, white billionaire,' he said. That was rather absurd. And quite the departure from what he told me upon his return from the NFL suspension, when, following a rehab stint, he owned up to the incident and didn't cast himself as a victim. He also maintained that his crisis moved him to lend his voice – and resources, as manifested years later – to a cause greater than himself. 'Any way I can take away from the stigma is good,' Irsay told USA TODAY Sports in 2014. 'A lot of people don't understand the disease. They think you choose an addiction. At the same time, I've had many, many years of continual recovery. What's really important is that you can be honest and talk about an illness.' Something else that Irsay told me during that interview also hits home about now. 'There are millions of death certificates that don't read 'alcoholism,' but that's what it is. Instead, they say, 'Heart attack,' 'stroke,' 'liver disease' or something else. 'I know it's not perceived as a disease, as something like cancer. Hopefully, that will change. This country has a long way to go. It's not a moral issue.' Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner, dies at 65 In March of 2024, Irsay, who had back and hip issues, revealed that he had undergone 26 surgeries in the previous seven years, according to Earlier in 2024, the Colts revealed that he was treated for a severe respiratory illness, weeks after Irsay was hospitalized after being found in his home as unresponsive, according to ESPN. In announcing Irsay's death, the Colts did not allude to medical specifics. It's no mystery that the outspoken Irsay was not the typical NFL owner. A football lifer who began working for the Colts as an adolescent, inherited the franchise in 1997 after the death of his father, Robert, his NFL roots connected to the generational family-owned teams – which is why he considered patriarchs Wellington Mara, Art Rooney Sr. and Lamar Hunt as uncles. He was also a certain type of cultural progressive, reflected with his passion for music and his impressive collection of historical artifacts – so rich and extensive that he told ESPN's Stephen Holder (now with The Athletic) he turned down an offer of more than $1 billion for the memorabilia. Irsay, a guitarist who played with his own all-star band, acquired guitars used by Elvis Presley, Prince, Jerry Garcia, George Harrison, John Lennon and Bob Dylan, among others. He bought an Elton John piano and Ringo Starr's drum set. The saddle that sat on Secretariat when he won the Triple Crown. The championship belt that Muhammad Ali claimed in defeating George Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle.' Letters written by Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The 500-piece Jim Irsay Collection was used for traveling exhibitions and at the free concerts he would stage. Maybe Irsay's most prized possession was the original manuscript for the Alcoholics Anonymous 'Big Book,' which was printed in 1939. He bought it at an auction for $2.4 million, with the personal significance also connected to the alcoholism that his father and grandfather suffered from. 'Those 12 steps have literally saved hundreds of thousands or millions of lives,' Irsay told Holder and ESPN. On one level, it may be difficult to relate to an eccentric billionaire who spent tens of millions of dollars on his vast collection. Yet on other levels, there always seemed to be something that less-than-perfect humans – even those not battling addictions – can relate to with Irsay. He had a heart. Maybe that's why Irsay was so beloved by so many who knew him, including players, coaches and staff from his Colts teams, and others in the NFL universe. Irsay had no qualms about getting close to players, which is why he cried at the farewell press conference for Peyton Manning and why Edgerrin James got a Super Bowl ring when the team won the Lombardi Trophy a year after he left Indy. Pat McAfee, the one-time punter-turned-media-star, shared a touching memory on social media that illuminated the essence of Irsay's vibe with players. McAfee went to Irsay's office to inform him of his decision to retire, and the 2 ½-hour conversation – which included Irsay trying to change McAfee's mind and offering to re-do his contract, then pivoted to business advice – ended with Irsay ensuring him that there was always a place for him with the Colts. After all, the Colts – now passed down to Irsay's three daughters − represented family. Former coaches Tony Dungy and Chuck Pagano can surely vouch for the personal support they received from Irsay while dealing with family tragedy and soul-searching health crisis, respectively. For Colts fans, they had another way to relate to the team owner who could be touched, so to speak. Irsay would show up at Colts training camp practices with a wad of cash and hand out $100 bills to fans. His legendary presence on social media came from the heart, too. Irsay was not only prone to witty posts on X, he conducted some of the most amazing giveaways on the social media platform, typically through trivia contests. He's given away season tickets and Super Bowl tickets. In 2023, he staged a $1 million guess-the-schedule challenge. And last year he gave away Taylor Swift concert tickets. Irsay's final tweet, late Wednesday morning, underscored his connection with the city and its sports fans. He gave a nod to the Indiana Pacers and team owner Herb Simon as they prepared for Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. 'Go PACERS,' he posted. 'Good luck to Herb, the entire @Pacers organization, and our city.' Hours later, it turned out to be a farewell post from Irsay. RIP. Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jim Irsay's brave fight against addiction
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'It's not a moral issue:' Remembering Jim Irsay's brave fight against addiction
'It's not a moral issue:' Remembering Jim Irsay's brave fight against addiction Show Caption Hide Caption Legendary Colts owner Jim Irsay dies Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died at 65. Jim Irsay passed away in his sleep during the afternoon of May 21. The official cause of death has not been disclosed, but given the significant health challenges that confronted the Indianapolis Colts owner over the years and the personal demons that severely impacted the course of his very public life, it is natural to wonder. With all due respect, I'd suspect that his heart was in good shape. At least when it came to goodwill. As the tributes flowed while news spread of Irsay's death at 65, the part of his complex legacy that involved his 'Kicking The Stigma Action Fund' resonated. The campaign, launched by the Colts in 2021, provided $31 million in grants to raise awareness for dealing with mental health and addiction issues, supporting research, non-profits and other organizations. Irsay, who battled alcoholism and drug addiction for decades – by his own account, he had at least 15 stints in rehab – tried to turn his adversity into a positive to help others. That's heart. Of course, the most public indication of Irsay's challenge came in 2014, when he pled guilty for operating a vehicle while intoxicated not far from his home in suburban Carmel, Ind. When arrested, he was also in possession of illegal prescription drugs and more than $29,000 in cash. The incident resulted in a six-game suspension from the NFL and $500,000 fine – and much public shaming. Reflecting in 2023 with HBO's Real Sports, Irsay contended his arrest was not above board. 'I'm prejudiced against because I'm a rich, white billionaire,' he said. That was quite the departure from what he told me upon his return from the NFL suspension, when, following a rehab stint, he owned up to the incident and didn't cast himself as a victim. He also maintained that his crisis moved him to lend his voice – and resources, as manifested years later – to a cause greater than himself. 'Any way I can take away from the stigma is good,' Irsay told USA TODAY Sports in 2014. 'A lot of people don't understand the disease. They think you choose an addiction. At the same time, I've had many, many years of continual recovery. What's really important is that you can be honest and talk about an illness.' Something else that Irsay told me during that interview also hits home about now. 'There are millions of death certificates that don't read 'alcoholism,' but that's what it is. Instead, they say, 'Heart attack,' 'stroke,' 'liver disease' or something else. 'I know it's not perceived as a disease, as something like cancer. Hopefully, that will change. This country has a long way to go. It's not a moral issue.' Jim Irsay, longtime Colts owner, dies at 65 In March of 2024, Irsay, who had back and hip issues, revealed that he had undergone 26 surgeries in the previous seven years, according to Earlier in 2024, the Colts revealed that he was treated for a severe respiratory illness, weeks after Irsay was hospitalized after being found in his home as unresponsive, according to ESPN. In announcing Irsay's death, the Colts did not allude to medical specifics. It's no mystery that the outspoken Irsay was not the typical NFL owner. A football lifer who began working for the Colts as an adolescent, inherited the franchise in 1997 after the death of his father, Robert, his NFL roots connected to the generational family-owned teams – which is why he considered patriarchs Wellington Mara, Art Rooney Sr. and Lamar Hunt as uncles. He was also a certain type of cultural progressive, reflected with his passion for music and his impressive collection of historical artifacts – so rich and extensive that he told ESPN's Stephen Holder (now with The Athletic) he turned down an offer of more than $1 billion for the memorabilia. Irsay, a guitarist who played with his own all-star band, acquired guitars used by Elvis Presley, Prince, Jerry Garcia, George Harrison, John Lennon and Bob Dylan, among others. He bought an Elton John piano and Ringo Starr's drum set. The saddle that sat on Secretariat when he won the Triple Crown. The championship belt that Muhammad Ali claimed in defeating George Foreman in the 'Rumble in the Jungle.' Letters written by Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The 500-piece Jim Irsay Collection was used for traveling exhibitions and at the free concerts he would stage. Maybe Irsay's most prized possession was the original manuscript for the Alcoholics Anonymous 'Big Book,' which was printed in 1939. He bought it at an auction for $2.4 million, with the personal significance also connected to the alcoholism that his father and grandfather suffered from. 'Those 12 steps have literally saved hundreds of thousands or millions of lives,' Irsay told Holder and ESPN. On one level, it may be difficult to relate to an eccentric billionaire who spent tens of millions of dollars on his vast collection. Yet on other levels, there always seemed to be something that less-than-perfect humans – even those not battling addictions – can relate to with Irsay. He had a heart. Maybe that's why Irsay was so beloved by so many who knew him, including players, coaches and staff from his Colts teams, and others in the NFL universe. Irsay had no qualms about getting close to players, which is why he cried at the farewell press conference for Peyton Manning and why Edgerrin James got a Super Bowl ring when the team won the Lombardi Trophy a year after he left Indy. Pat McAfee, the one-time punter-turned-media-star, shared a touching memory on social media that illuminated the essence of Irsay's vibe with players. McAfee went to Irsay's office to inform him of his decision to retire, and the 2 ½-hour conversation – which included Irsay trying to change McAfee's mind and offering to re-do his contract, then pivoted to business advice – ended with Irsay ensuring him that there was always a place for him with the Colts. After all, the Colts – now passed down to Irsay's three daughters − represented family. Former coaches Tony Dungy and Chuck Pagano can surely vouch for the personal support they received from Irsay while dealing with family tragedy and soul-searching health crisis, respectively. For Colts fans, they had another way to relate to the team owner who could be touched, so to speak. Irsay would show up at Colts training camp practices with a wad of cash and hand out $100 bills to fans. His legendary presence on social media came from the heart, too. Irsay was not only prone to witty posts on X, he conducted some of the most amazing giveaways on the social media platform, typically through trivia contests. He's given away season tickets and Super Bowl tickets. In 2023, he staged a $1 million guess-the-schedule challenge. And last year he gave away Taylor Swift concert tickets. Irsay's final tweet, late Wednesday morning, underscored his connection with the city and its sports fans. He gave a nod to the Indiana Pacers and team owner Herb Simon as they prepared for Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. 'Go PACERS,' he posted. 'Good luck to Herb, the entire @Pacers organization, and our city.' Hours later, it turned out to be a farewell post from Irsay. RIP. Follow Jarrett Bell on social media: @JarrettBell
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jim Irsay's Cause of Death Unclear, But Health Issues Were Well-Known
The cause of death for Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was not released, although the team said he died peacefully in his sleep at age 65. However, Irsay's past health issues are well-known, including a possible previous "suspected overdose." That doesn't mean that those past issues had anything to do with his death, however. That's still unclear. On May 21, 2025, the Indianapolis Colts shared that the team's "beloved owner and ceo, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon.' The team did not release further details of how Irsay died, and no official cause of death has been released. He dealt with some serious health problems in recent years that received a lot of media attention. According to ESPN, Irsay was open about his "decades-long struggles with addiction." Irsay and his family championed and gave money to causes that championed addiction recovery and mental health, ESPN reported. He sparked fan concern in January 2025 when he was wheeled out in a chair at a game. According to DailyMail, he was using a StairSteady, which is "a device typically used in hospitals for patients without power in their legs." In 2023, Real Sports posted a video clip with Irsay, writing that he was "grateful to be alive after years of addiction nearly destroyed him He said in that interview that he overdosed "one time" and had gone to rehab "at least 15 times." In the overdose situation, Irsay said he had "mixed multiple drugs that I didn't know anything about," and he went "code blue" and stopped breathing that time, He was told by the doctor that he was "one lucky man" because the doctor had practically "signed the death certificate." In January 2024, emergency responders found the Indianapolis Colts owner "unresponsive and laboring to breathe when called to his home in what a police report logged as a suspected 'overdose,'" Fox59 reported, saying the incident had occurred the month before the January 2024 report. The television station reported then that police were called to 'assist fire with a male that was unresponsive, breathing, but turning blue," identifying that male as Irsay, then 64. 'Irsay was unconscious with abnormal breathing (agonal breathing), a weak pulse, and he was cold to the touch,' the report obtained by Fox59 said, but Irsay recovered. The team said at the time that Irsay was "being treated for a severe respiratory illness," according to Fox59. According to ESPN, after that situation, Irsay "had made a few public appearances in the year since those incidents, but he had not been seen much lately." It's believed he skipped the NFL draft last month, ESPN reported. Irsay had several surgeries that affected his mobility. "Irsay still is in rehab mode following a pair of recent surgeries," Fox59 reported in July 2024. "The first addressed a left leg/quadriceps/back issue that resulted from a fall in his bathroom, impacted the nerves, caused lingering numbness with the leg and weakened the quad. The second in mid-May was to deal with a subsequent, serious hematoma." According to ESPN, Irsay's dad was an alcoholic. He spoke about Alcoholics Anonymous's 12-step program. "Those 12 steps have literally saved hundreds of thousands or millions of lives," Irsay told ESPN. "My grandfather died in 1927, eight years before AA was founded. And there was no hope for him. They would just stick people in sanitariums back then." "Because of those 12 steps, I've been able to bridge the dam of generations and say, 'Stop! No more!' These families won't be broken apart and destroyed by all the strife that goes on," he added to ESPN. The Colts' statement focused on Irsay's passion for the Colts and the city. 'Jim's dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly his love for his family were unsurpassed," the Colts wrote in the statement posted to X. "Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.' The team said that "some of Jim's fondest memories came from his youth working training camps in Baltimore and growing relationships with players, coaches, and staff whom he considered his extended family. He worked in every department before he was named the youngest general manager in team history in 1984 when the Colts arrived in Indianapolis. After he took sole ownership in 1997, he led the Colts to a long series of division titles and brought the city its first Super Bowl championship.' The team praised Irsay's 'generosity,' saying it can 'be felt all over Indianapolis.'
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Jim Irsay's chilling quote about dying resurfaces after his death
Jim Irsay, longtime owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday at the age of 65. The NFL team announced his death in an official statement, noting his passion for football, philanthropy, and family. While the Colts did not disclose the cause of death, fans quickly resurfaced Irsay's past admissions about his struggles with drug addiction, raising concerns online. Irsay had spoken openly about his history with substance abuse, most notably in a 2023 interview with Andrea Kremer for HBO's Real Sports. He described a life-threatening overdose where he stopped breathing and was revived in a hospital emergency room. 'I mixed multiple drugs that I didn't know anything about... I stopped breathing. The doctor said, 'Jim, you're one lucky man,'' Irsay revealed in the interview. He also said he had been in rehab 'at least 15 times.' I hope Jim Irsay can rest in peace, but are we going to just ignore the fact the guy was a drug addict and likely died from an overdose just because he was a rich owner? — 4-Orange (@land_browns) May 22, 2025 In 2014, Irsay was arrested on DUI and drug possession charges. Police found prescription medications and over $29,000 in cash during a traffic stop. He later entered a rehabilitation program, and in 2022 told the Associated Press that he had to 'surrender' to get the help he needed: 'My self-will was killing me.' Irsay is survived by his three daughters—Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson—his ex-wife Meg Coyle, and ten grandchildren. Jim Irsay's death has sparked both tributes and renewed discussions about mental health and addiction in professional sports leadership
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jim Irsay, Indianapolis Colts Owner and CEO, Dies at 65
Indianapolis Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay has died. The businessman was 65 years old. He struggled with addiction in the past, however, his cause of death has not been Irsay, owner and CEO of the Indianapolis Colts has died. He was 65 years old. The businessman 'passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,' the official Colts X account confirmed on Wednesday, May 21. A cause of death was not disclosed. Irsay held his position with the organization from 1997 until his death. Before that, he was general manager of the Colts from 1984 to 1996. 'Jim's dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them,' the tribute read. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, per ESPN. The Colts' post reflected on Irsay's 'fondest memories,' which 'came from his youth, working training camps in Baltimore and growing relationships with players, coaches, and staff whom he considered his extended family.' After taking sole ownership of the team in 1997, he led the Colts to a long series of division titles and brought the city its first Super Bowl Championship. His career with the NFL spanned more than 50 years. 'Jim's generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country. He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives,' the tweet continued. 'Music was one of Jim's passions and the ability to share his band and collection with millions of people across the world brought him tremendous joy. Simply put, he wanted to make the world a better place and that philosophy never wavered. Jim will be deeply missed by his family, the Colts organization, and fans everywhere, but we remain inspired by his caring and unique spirit.' Outside of his contributions to the league, Irsay also made headlines for his personal life. He was arrested for a DUI in 2014. During a November 2023 interview with Andrea Kremer on HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, he claimed 'the arrest was wrong,' saying he was 'prejudiced against because I'm a rich, white billionaire.' The following month, he was found unresponsive after an apparent overdose, according to reports from ESPN and TMZ. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Irsay was given narcan, a drug that helps reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, and he "responded slightly,' ESPN said at the time, citing a police report. The Colts owner had been open about his addiction, and donated more than $25 million through his Kicking The Stigma charity. Per ESPN, Irsay had been clear that in his absence, ownership of the Colts would '100%' be passed down to his children. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. Read the original article on People
