Jim Irsay (Darron Cummings/AP)
In a recent development, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay faced a concerning health situation last month, as per a police report obtained by ESPN. Irsay was found unresponsive and experiencing difficulty breathing, which led to his hospitalization after a suspected overdose.
Hospitalization and Privacy
The incident, which unfolded on the morning of December 8, saw Irsay lying in bed and unresponsive when emergency personnel from Carmel, Indiana, reached him. The police report highlighted his weak and slow pulse, prompting swift action by fire rescue personnel dispatched around 4:32 a.m. in response to a report of an “unconscious person.”
Upon arrival, police officers administered Narcan, a medication used to counter opioid overdose effects. This resulted in Irsay’s partial responsiveness before paramedics took him to the hospital.
While the report noted various prescribed medications at the scene, specific details were redacted for privacy reasons. TMZ.com first reported the incident, raising concerns about Irsay’s well-being.
Colts’ Response
The Colts, who recently disclosed Irsay’s “severe respiratory illness,” refrained from providing detailed comments but issued a statement saying, “Mr. Irsay continues to recover from his respiratory illness. We will have no further comment on his personal health, and we continue to ask that Jim and his family’s privacy be respected.”
Timeline and Recovery
The timeline of Irsay’s recent health challenges remains unclear, as he has not made public appearances in recent weeks. However, He was present at the Colts’ Dec. 16 NFL home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, just eight days after the emergency at his home.
Despite persistent questions about Irsay’s health, Colts officials initially maintained a stance of no comments on personal matters. Last week, the team altered its approach by revealing Irsay’s respiratory illness, preventing him from participating in an Irsay Collection exhibit and concert in Los Angeles.
“He is receiving excellent care and looks forward to returning to the stage as soon as possible,” the statement read. Later in the week, general manager Chris Ballard said Irsay is “stable and they’re working through it.” He declined to elaborate.
Irsay’s Addiction History
Irsay, 64, has a well-documented history of addiction and has admitted to past usage of opioids and other drugs. He revealed in a November interview with HBO Sports that he had been to rehab “at least 15 times”.
He also said he had a near-fatal incident years ago, saying he went “code blue” and had to be revived.
In the past, Irsay has said that his addiction to painkillers developed after a series of surgeries over the years. Irsay has undergone several procedures for yearslong shoulder and hip injuries that have had a significant impact on his mobility.
Advocacy Efforts
The Irsay family’s successful Kicking the Stigma campaign, initiated in 2020, reflects Irsay’s advocacy for addiction and mental health awareness. The campaign has contributed over $25 million in grants to entities in the mental health space.
This report used information from ESPN.
