Colts Owner Jim Irsay Says Overdose Almost Killed Him

THE END ZONE THERE’S NO COMING BACK FROM –

Nov. 20, 2023 – Irsay, who has spoken candidly in the past about his battles with drugs and alcohol, made the revelation in an interview with Andrea Kremer for HBO’s “Real Sports.” HBO teased the full interview with a clip published on social media Monday.

In the clip, Irsay tells Kremer that he has been in rehab “at least 15 times.” He then told a story of a near-death experience. Kremer asked if he has “actually ever overdosed.” Irsay, 64, started his career as a Colts executive in 1984 under his father Robert’s ownership. He took over as majority owner at 37 years old in 1997 upon Robert’s death.

Irsay’s battles with addiction have played out in public during his ownership tenure. In 2014, Irsay checked into a rehab center after an arrest on charges of driving under the influence and four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Police say that Irsay was in possession of multiple bottles of prescriptions drugs and more than $29,000 in cash when they pulled him over for allegedly driving erratically. Per the police report, he failed a field sobriety test, and his driver’s license was suspended for a year after he refused to submit to a blood test. Prosecutors eventually dismissed the felony charges, and Irsay pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated.