Colts owner Jim Irsay disputed the police report that suggested he overdosed after he was found unresponsive, gasping for air and cold at his Indiana home in December 2023.
“It wasn’t an overdose,’’ Irsay told Fox59. “I don’t know why when you have your name in the paper in the past, people throw that out there quickly. I don’t pay attention to it all that much, but I don’t think it’s fair.’’
Rumors have swirled about Irsay’s health after a string of events in December and January.
Police were called to Irsay’s Carmel, Ind., home around 4:30 a.m. in early December after being informed that an individual had found Irsay unconscious on his bathroom floor with blue skin.
Irsay had a weak pulse, constricted pupils and was having breathing issues when the police arrived, and he “responded slightly” after one dose of Narcan, per TMZ.
He was later taken via ambulance to a hospital, and the police labeled the situation an “overdose” and “overdose/poisoning.”
“At this time, it is unknown what Mr. Irsay had ingested prior to our arrival,” the police report stated, according to TMZ.
Roughly one month later, the Colts announced that Irsay missed a scheduled show for his band due to a “severe respiratory illness.”
Irsay then provided an update in February when he tweeted was “on the mend.”
Regarding the December incident, Irsay told Fox59 he was actually “treating a leg injury” that had developed what the outlet called a “serious hematoma.”
He has since undergone “major” surgery for a back/leg injury, which hospitalized him for some time.
“I know what the situation is,’’ Irsay told the outlet. “It’s not a situation like that. I’ve had 27 surgeries in the last seven or eight years. No one ever wants to talk about that.
“What people don’t realize is when you have real medical issues that are orthopedic, they are so easy to point to me being overdosed or addiction-related or what have you.’’
He called it “unfortunate” that the police used “overdose” in the report.
“It’s unfortunate because they really don’t have the information in that speed of time when you’re checking (someone) into the hospital and it’s an overdose or it’s this or that,’’ Irsay said, according to Fox59. “It wasn’t an overdose. The bottom line was the leg needed to be taken care of immediately.
“When you have the severe pain on different parts of your body, it’s not the easiest thing to manage.’’
As the Colts ready for the 2024 NFL Draft, Irsay said he’s still in control of his franchise.
Indianapolis owns the 15th pick, but Irsay will not attend the draft in person following the surgery.
“I want to let the fans and Colts Nation know that I’m in good shape and … I have my hands on the reins (of the franchise) in a strong way,’’ Irsay told Fox59.
He added: “I see a Colts team coming back with prime ammo. It’s really exciting to see what can be done this year.”