Jim Irsay | Larry Brown Sports

Jim Irsay hands out $100 bills to Colts fans

July 27, 2014 By Larry Brown Leave a Comment

In case you didn’t already know it, Jim Irsay is pretty rich.

The Colts owner showed up at his team’s training camp practice on Saturday and handed out $100 bills to some of the fans in attendance like he was Steve Nash handing out high-fives to teammates.

Pretty cool, huh? Show up to training camp and you have a chance at $100? Sure as heck beats a misspelled T-shirt giveaway.

As cool as it would be to get a bill from him, what does this say about Irsay?

Does he think handing out money to his fans will make them forget about his DUI? Does he think handing out $100 bills will justify him being stopped by police with $29k cash on him? Someone tell Irsay he can’t buy his way out of every problem. Only his problems with Roger Goodell.

H/T The Score

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: Jim Irsay

Jim Irsay compares his drug addiction to battling cancer

June 10, 2014 By Steve DelVecchio 6 Comments

On Monday, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay gave his first extensive public comments since he was arrested for driving while under the influence back in March. He spoke with Bob Kravitz of The Indianapolis Star, who described Irsay as having clearer eyes than before, improved posture and a more healthy looking skin complexion.

Irsay said he has been alcohol-free for over a decade, which is similar to what he tweeted at the time of his arrest. He also admitted to having a painkiller addiction that started back in 2002 after several orthopedic surgeries for his hip and back. The 55-year-old repeatedly referred to his addiction as a “disease” and compared it to cancer and other diseases that kill.

“In some ways, (going through rehab) is my greatest moment,” Irsay told Kravitz. “It takes courage to try and overcome the difficulties you have. For some reason, it’s seen as unheroic. When someone beats cancer, it’s like, ‘Wow, that’s so heroic,’ but when someone has this illness, it’s treated like you’re a leper because that person is morally corrupt, and that’s not the case.

“… It’s an ongoing thing in one’s life when recovering from any disease. The disease never sleeps so you have to be proactive when dealing with it. But the journey is great because it forced you to grow spiritually. There’s a lot of gratitude and spiritual growth. And it’s rewarding because it makes you more virtuous when you have success.”

Irsay added that there is a “stigma” assosicated with alcoholism and additiction which makes the diseases particularly dangerous because people are afraid to treat them.

“People shy away from seeking help because it’s viewed as being somewhat morally off the path, that they’ve lost their way,” he said. “I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you’re talking about alcoholism and addiction; it’s not like you’re battling leukemia or a heart problem; it is that. But even in 2014, there’s still this stigma.”

Irsay still seemed to be treading lightly, as the legal process of his arrest and how it will affect his standing with the NFL is still playing out. He would not go on the record and address whether there is truth to the report that he could face a $1 million fine and a 6-8 game suspension from the league.

As for an apology, Irsay said he is not ready to issue one yet and did not promise that he will. He also said he is focused on running the Colts and putting together the best team he can, despite reports that his children are in control of the team and he has remained out of the picture.

To me, it seems like Irsay is looking for sympathy. Whether he deserves it or not is a matter of personal opinion.

Filed Under: Football, Headlines Tagged With: Jim Irsay

Jim Irsay could be fined $1 million, suspended 6-8 games

June 7, 2014 By Larry Brown 1 Comment

Many people have been curiously awaiting the NFL’s punishment for Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who was arrested in March for driving while intoxicated. Irsay was in possession of several prescription drugs and failed several field sobriety tests, but he was only charged last month with two misdemeanors. That’s still enough to lead to a hefty punishment from the NFL.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, people around the league believe Irsay will be suspended 6-8 games and fined around $1 million.

Though $1 million sounds like a lot, it’s probably not too much for a billionaire like Irsay. Still, it’s better than nothing. And what I want to know is what would constitute a suspension for a team owner? Would he be prevented from attending games? Would they prevent him from being in contact with the team? I’m guessing it’s probably the former.

Regardless, Irsay’s arrest makes the league look bad and sets a bad example for the team. At least critics like Roddy White can be satisfied knowing that something will happen to Irsay.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: Jim Irsay

Jim Irsay charged with two misdemeanors for OWI arrest

May 23, 2014 By Larry Brown Leave a Comment

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been charged with two misdemeanors for his driving arrest in March, according to FOX 59 in Indianapolis.

Irsay went to rehab after the arrest and has not been punished by the NFL, but he will be facing some potential discipline from the legal system.

According to FOX 59, Irsay has been charged with one count of operating while intoxicated and one count of operating a vehicle with a schedule I or II controlled substances or its metabolite in the body. Both crimes are considered C misdemeanors. The substances were oxycodone and/or hydrocodone.

Irsay supposedly faces 60 days in jail if he’s convincted.

Another concern about Irsay’s arrest was that he was found with $30,000 on him at the time he was pulled over. That raised concern about drug buying/selling, but FOX 59 says the amount of drugs on Irsay’s person supposedly did not rise to the levels of “dealing” status.

Filed Under: Football, Police Blotter Tagged With: Jim Irsay

Jim Irsay had nearly $30,000 on him at time of arrest

March 27, 2014 By Steve DelVecchio Leave a Comment

More details from the Jim Irsay arrest emerged on Wednesday night, and they painted as disturbing a picture as most of us expected. For starters, the Indianapolis Colts owner seemed extremely intoxicated and failed a number of field sobriety tests. He was also reportedly in possession of a whole bunch of cash and a whole bunch of prescription pills.

According to police reports obtained by The Indianapolis Star, police found a total of $29,029 cash in a briefcase, Irsay’s wallet and one of two “laundry” bags that were on the passenger side floorboard of the car. Pills and pill bottles were also found in the briefcase and the bags.

The officer who initially pulled Irsay over said he witnessed him driving 10 mph in a 35 mph zone. Irsay also allegedly stopped his car completely in the middle of the road twice and turned without signaling. The officer said Irsay seemed disoriented and was exhibiting slow and slurred speech after being stopped.

“I asked him if he knew why I pulled him over,” the officer wrote in his report. “Irsay advised that he was trying to find his house and gets confused with what road it is located on.”

Irsay then allegedly had trouble with some basic alphabet sobriety tests and was asked to exit his vehicle. At that point, the officer had called for another patrol officer and a sergeant to join him at the scene. The report said officers “continuously had to support Irsay in order to prevent him from falling over” while administering a field sobriety test.

“Mr. Irsay about fell to the ground as he was stood up from the the police vehicle hood,” the sergeant wrote.

Irsay is obviously an incredibly wealthy man, but it is a red flag that he had so much cash on him in addition to several prescription medications. He’s lucky help didn’t come too late.

Filed Under: Football, Police Blotter Tagged With: Jim Irsay

Roddy White wonders if Jim Irsay will be punished by NFL for recent arrest

March 17, 2014 By Gordon Dixon 1 Comment

Since taking over as commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goodell has made it a point to punish players for questionable off-the-field conduct.

At various times during Goodell’s tenure, we’ve heard the phrase “protecting the shield” in reference to maintaining the integrity of the league. Goodell has not been shy about the conduct standards he expects from those associated with the league.

In the wake of recent news that Jim Irsay was arrested for driving under the influence, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White wonders if the Indianapolis Colts owner will be subject to any punishment by the NFL.

I want to see what the NFL does about this Jim Irsay situation if a player loses a game check no matter the amount he should lose a game day

— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) March 17, 2014

I'm guessing a million dollar fine will come which is nothing to a man that makes billions

— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) March 17, 2014

I don't think Irsay is a bad guy I actually like him as an owner but it was a bad mistake

— Roddy White (@roddywhiteTV) March 17, 2014

Roddy White rarely filters what he says on Twitter, like this time when referring to Alex Smith, so this can’t be seen as completely surprising.

White does, however, raise a relevant point. Owners are included under the NFL personal conduct policy and, therefore, not exempt from being punished should the league deem it to be necessary. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

Filed Under: Football Tagged With: Jim Irsay, Roddy White

Jim Irsay friend: ‘He’s a sick, sick man’ who ‘desperately needs help’

March 17, 2014 By Steve DelVecchio 1 Comment

Jim Irsay was arrested on Sunday morning and charged with driving while under the influence and felony possession of prescription drugs. Those who are close to the Indianapolis Colts owner do not seem surprised, as many of them have supposedly been waiting for Irsay to hit rock bottom.

The Indianapolis Star’s Bob Kravitz, one of the most connected Colts reporters in the country, spoke to Irsay’s friends on Monday. He was told about the 54-year-old’s alleged drug addiction.

“He’s a sick, sick man,” one source reportedly told Kravitz. “He desperately needs help.”

The Colts have apparently been trying to get Irsay, who admitted he was addicted to painkillers in 2002, into rehab for years. At the very least, the organization reportedly pled with Irsay to hire a driver and stop getting behind the wheel.

Irsay weighs about 165 pounds at the moment, which is down from his old weight of 235. When Kravitz asked him about the weight loss two months ago, Irsay said he was taking his doctor’s advice to lose weight and keep the strain off his troublesome back and hip. That story is now much harder to believe.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported on Monday that Irsay’s behavior has raised concerns with those connected to the Colts.

“There are people around the Colts organization who have been suspicious about some of his behavior,” Schefter said, via Pro Football Talk.

If Kravitz’s sources are being truthful, “suspicious” could only begin to subscribe it. We have spent plenty of time making fun of Irsay for his entertaining Twitter rants and some of the photos he posts, but suddenly they’re not quite as humorous.

Filed Under: Featured Stories, Football Tagged With: Jim Irsay