Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay suffered multiple relapses before his death, according to an investigation from The Washington Post published Thursday.
Irsay overdosed three times in the last five years of his life, The Post found, and was being prescribed large amounts of opioids and ketamine by his recovery doctor, all of which was kept hidden from the public by Colts executives.
The Post reported Irsay suffered an overdose in Turks and Caicos in February 2020, which required hospitalization for a few days, before he returned to Colts headquarters later that month. In December 2023, Irsay overdosed at his home in suburban Indianapolis and then again 12 days later at a beach resort near Miami, according to the report.
Irsay spent nearly four months in recovery, with the team saying at the time he was being treated for a “severe respiratory illness.” He later said he was recovering from back surgery.
The Post interviewed five people with direct knowledge of Irsay’s relapse for the investigation, all of whom were concerned about the treatment Irsay received from Harry Haroutunian, an addiction specialist. The Post investigation found Haroutunian supplied Irsay with opioids, including more than 200 pills in the days before his December 2023 overdoses, and prescribed Irsay ketamine in the final months of his life.
When Irsay died on May 21 at age 65, Haroutunian signed the death certificate, which listed the cause of death as cardiac arrest caused by acute pneumonia, with two heart conditions, according to The Post. No autopsy or toxicology report was done.
“I dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him … as a brother,” Haroutunian told the outlet. “We did everything we could to make him as comfortable as possible.”
Irsay battled addiction issues for decades and was a public advocate for addiction awareness and mental health. Irsay’s daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, who took over Colts ownership in June, said they remain focused on honoring their dad’s legacy and asked for privacy in a statement obtained by The Athletic.
“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,” the statement 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 facing similar challenges, with honesty, vulnerability, and compassion. We understand the public interest in his life and legacy.
“While we respect the role of responsible journalism, we decline to comment on the allegations in your inquiry. The media is not the place to address inquiries about information which is disputed, lacks essential context, or involves private medical matters.”
(Photo: Justin Casterline / Getty Images)