Colts Owner Jim Irsay Checks Into Health Care Facility Following Arrest

 

Update:

The Colts have announced that owner Jim Irsay checked himself into a health care facility following his recent arrest.

Colts statement:

“Yesterday, Jim Irsay took the first step toward regaining good health. He voluntarily checked into a highly-respected health care facility and is committed to undergoing the treatment and care necessary to help him meet his challenges head-on. Jim, the Irsay family, and the Colts organization are all deeply appreciative of the incredible outpouring of support and compassion from our fans and the Indiana community.”

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Deepest thx to family, friends, fans, colleagues for the messages of support, thoughts and prayers. Impossible to tell u how much this means

— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) March 17, 2014

New Statement from the Colts:

“The Club continues to fully support Mr. Irsay but must refrain from commenting further at least until formal charges have been filed.  A hearing is tentatively scheduled for next Wednesday, March 26.”

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Colts owner Jim Irsay has been released from the jail.

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Colts owner Jim Irsay was arrested late Sunday night after he was pulled over by police in Carmel, Indiana.

Irsay was reportedly “driving at a slow rate of speed, stopping in roadway and failure to signal turn,” via the Indianapolis Star.

He is now facing four counts of possession of a controlled substance and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star spoke with some friends of Irsay who have been hoping that he would some day be forced to deal with his drug problem.

“He’s a sick, sick man,” a source tells Kravitz. “He desperately needs help.”

According to Kravitz, the team has cleaned up messes created by Irsay in the past.

“The Colts have been cleaning up Irsay’s messes for years now,” Kravitz writes. “Time and again, Irsay dismissed the concerns of his close friends and confidantes, even if his increasingly gaunt physical appearance sent up red flags throughout the community.”

The Colts released a statement regarding the situation earlier today.

“We are gathering information at this time regarding last night’s incident involving Jim Irsay.  The team will issue additional statements when the facts are sorted and we are aware of the next steps to this process.  Many fans have reached out to express their concern and we appreciate their support.”

Irsay has struggled with alcohol and drug addiction for years now, but had said previously that he hasn’t had a drink “in over 15 years.”

Irsay’s wife of 33 years, Meg, filed to divorce last November, which couldn’t have helped his situation any.

He could face action from the league for his actions given that all people associated with the NFL are subject to discipline for violating league policies.

We’ll have provide some updates as the news is available.