Jim Irsay suffered repeated relapses into painkiller addiction and overdosed multiple times between February 2020 and early 2024, including incidents in December 2023 and January 2024. He was absent from Colts activities for about four months, with officials describing his absence as due to a severe respiratory illness. He reportedly received prescriptions for ketamine in his final months. Police were called to the Beverly Hills hotel room where he died on May 21; the team described his death as peaceful in his sleep. Irsay's daughters, now co-owners, noted his openness about addiction and mental health and emphasized resilience and advocacy.
The Post cites five people who had direct knowledge of Irsay's relapses but who requested anonymity because they said they feared retaliation from the team. Irsay died May 21. The team said he died "peacefully in his sleep." The Post story says Irsay overdosed at least three times since February 2020, including twice during a 12-day span, the first in December 2023 at his home in suburban Indianapolis and the second in January 2024 in Miami.
"We continue to grieve the loss of our dad, a man defined not only by his role as owner of the Colts but also by his resilience, his personal struggles and his deep love for family, friends, and community," they said. "Throughout his life, our dad 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 similar challenges with honesty, vulnerability and compassion."
Irsay was notably absent for most of the next four months, an unusually long time for someone who was regularly engaged in the Colts' day-to-day functions. At the time, team officials said Irsay was away because he had a "severe respiratory illness." Irsay's three daughters -- Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson -- are the family's third generation to run the team.
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