Colts Owner Jim Irsay Releases First Statement Since Health Scare
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay officially released his first statement in over a month, sending a message to players on his recovery process.
“On the mend,” Irsay wrote on his X account. “Grateful for all the messages of love and support.”
Irsay, who's been in charge of the Houston Texans AFC South rival since 1997, is recovering from what the team has declared a "severe respiratory illness” for an undetermined amount of time.
According to the report from the Carmel Police Department, officers were sent to Irsay's house on Dec. 8 due to a 911 call. When on sight, Irsay was found unresponsive but breathing "while turning blue."
The Colts posted a statement on Jan. 9 saying that Irsay would not be able to perform with his band in Los Angeles that week due to illness and that he was "receiving excellent care." No additional information was provided prior to Irsay's statement Tuesday.
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“Mr. Irsay continues to recover from his respiratory illness,” the Colts wrote. “We will have no further comment on his personal health, and we continue to ask that Jim and his family’s privacy be respected.
Irsay last posted to the X on Jan. 8. He was last seen at the team's win over Pittsburgh on Dec. 16 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Irsay, 64, has been a fixture of the NFL and the AFC for over four decades, being hired by the Colts as vice president and general manager in 1984. Irsay, who was 25 at the time, remains the youngest general manager hired by an organization.
After his father and majority owner, Robert, suffered a stroke in 1995, Irsay took over the team's day-to-day operations. Following Robert's death in 1997, Jim Irsay was granted the team after winning legal custody against his stepmother. Since then, the Colts have been one of the more intriguing teams in football.
Since taking over, the Colts have had one of the league's more consistent franchises. Over the past 27 years, Indianapolis has made the postseason 16 times, winning the AFC twice while defeating the Chicago Bears for its second title in 2006.
Last season, Houston and Indianapolis split the series. The Colts bested the Texans at NRG Stadium in Week 2, but Houston took revenge and the division title in Week 18.
