In a disconcerting incident last month, Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, was reportedly found unresponsive in his Indiana residence.
According to police documents cited by TMZ Sports, local law enforcement responded to a distress call from Irsay's home around 4:30 a.m. ET on December 8, discovering the billionaire in a state of unconsciousness and cold to the touch, in what was described as a "suspected overdose."
Upon arrival, the officers found Irsay struggling for breath. After the administration of Narcan, a medication used to counteract the effects of opioid overdose, Irsay "responded slightly," TMZ Sports reported. Paramedics subsequently took over the life-saving efforts for the 64-year-old. The authorities were provided with a list of medications Irsay had consumed, but the exact substances in his system prior to their arrival remain unclear. The incident was reportedly categorized as an "overdose" and "overdose/poisoning."
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Colts said, "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 familys privacy be respected."
Earlier in January, the Colts announced that Irsay was undergoing treatment for a "severe respiratory illness," which would cause him to miss a scheduled appearance at an event in Los Angeles. The team's statement read, "Jim Irsay is currently being treated for a severe respiratory illness. While this unfortunately means he won't be able to perform with his band this week in Los Angeles, he is receiving excellent care and looks forward to returning to the stage as soon as possible."
Irsay's struggles with addiction have been public knowledge throughout his tenure as the Colts' owner. In a November interview with Andrea Kremer for "Real Sports," Irsay revealed that he had been to rehab "at least 15 times." He also recounted a near-death experience resulting from a self-attempted detoxification, saying, "One time, I was trying to detox myself, and I mixed multiple drugs that I didnt know anything about. So all of a sudden, I start slurring my words. And then code blue, I stop breathing. And they revive me and the doctor goes, Jim, youre one lucky man because I had virtually signed the death certificate."
In 2014, Irsay voluntarily entered rehab following an arrest for driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. The police reported finding various prescription drugs and over $29,000 in cash in his possession at the time of the arrest. Although the felony charges were eventually dismissed, Irsay pleaded guilty to the DUI charge and had his license suspended for a year.
Irsay has been an executive of the Colts since 1984, during his father Robert's ownership. He assumed majority ownership of the team in 1997, following his father's death.
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