Colts owner Jim Irsay 'on the mend' after being hospitalized

Field Level Media|published: Tue 6th February, 16:17 2024

Nov 10, 2023; Frankfurt, Germany; Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay speaks during a fan event at Chicago Meatpackers before an International Series game against the New England Patriots. credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay took to social media Tuesday to reveal that his health is improving after he was hospitalized for a severe respiratory illness.

"On the mend. Grateful for all the messages of love and support," Irsay wrote on Twitter.

The Colts released a statement on Jan. 9 saying Irsay was undergoing treatment for the illness.

On Dec. 8, per a police report, the 64-year-old was found unresponsive in his home in Carmel (Ind.), prompting emergency personnel to administer Narcan, which is commonly used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

Irsay revealed during a November 2023 interview on HBO's "Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel" that he had battled addiction and nearly died from a previous overdose. He said he had been to rehab "at least 15 times."

Irsay's father, Robert Irsay, purchased the Baltimore franchise in 1972 and relocated it to Indianapolis in 1984. Jim Irsay was the general manager from 1984-86 before becoming the owner, chairman and CEO in 1997.

—Field Level Media