Irsay was found unresponsive at his home back in December, but he said, “I’m in good shape"Getty Images
Colts owner
Jim Irsay
made it clear that he is “still in control” of the franchise and that his current health issues “don’t include an overdose,” according to Mike Chappell of Indianapolis-based WXIN-Fox. Irsay was found unresponsive at his home back in December, but he said, “I’m in good shape and ... I have my hands on the reins (of the franchise) in a strong way.” The official police report from December cited the incident as a "possible overdose," but Irsay denies that was the case. He said that was “'treating a leg injury' that had developed a serious hematoma." He subsequently underwent "major surgery to address a back/leg issue, which required a lengthy stay in the hospital.” Irsay, who has
"openly discussed his addiction issues" in the past, said, “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 added that it was "'unfortunate' that a responding police officer wrote down 'overdose' on the incident report." Irsay pointed out that he has been “home for a quite a while’’ and has “kept in constant contact” with GM Chris Ballard
and coach Shane Steichen. However, Chappell noted Irsay’s latest surgery has “greatly limited his mobility” and will keep him for “taking his normal prominent place in the Colts’ draft war room” (
FOX59.com,4/22).
