The late Jim Irsay, who formerly owned the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, experienced multiple relapses before passing away in May, according to an investigation by the Washington Post.
Throughout his life, Irsay was open about his struggles with addiction but appeared to have made progress in recent years by establishing a charity named Kicking the Stigma. This organization aimed to raise mental health awareness and combat stereotypes associated with addiction.
Despite how it appeared on the outside, however, Irsay was still struggling in private, the Post reports.
In the five years leading up to his death, Irsay reportedly overdosed on three occasions, incidents which Colts executives concealed from the public for fear of jeopardizing his role and reputation within the league, as reported by the Post.
Harry Haroutunian, a recovery doctor, was reportedly prescribing Irsay hundreds of opioid pills and ketamine in the lead up to his death.
Irsay died on May 21 at the age of 65. The cause of death was recorded as cardiac arrest due to acute pneumonia and heart complications, according to the report.
Haroutunian, present with Irsay at the time, signed his death certificate. With no autopsy or toxicology report performed, there are questions surrounding the accuracy of the stated cause of death.
“I spent 18 months of my life trying to take care of him like a brother,” Haroutunian revealed to the Post. “We did everything in our power to ensure his comfort.”
The Post interviewed five people who knew about Irsay’s relapse, and they all expressed concern over the treatment he received from the recovery doctor. Everyone who was interviewed reported observing Irsay consume opioid pills, and four claimed they saw him receive ketamine injection
Irsay’s three daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, assumed primary ownership of the Colts following the death of their father.
“Our focus remains on honoring our Dad’s legacy, his decades of philanthropy, his loyalty to the Colts and its fans, and his passion for mental health advocacy, music, and second chances,” the daughters wrote in a statement to the post.
