In a shocking incident last December, Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, was discovered unconscious and struggling to breathe, according to information obtained by TMZ. The police, who were alerted to the situation around 4:30 a.m. on December 8, described the event as a suspected overdose.
The call to law enforcement was made from Irsay’s residence in Carmel, Indiana, after someone found him unconscious on his bathroom floor, his skin having taken on a bluish hue. By the time officers arrived, Irsay had been moved to his bed, but was still experiencing respiratory difficulties, had a weak pulse, and his pupils were constricted.
Efforts to rouse Irsay were initially unsuccessful. A sternum rub, a common technique used to awaken unconscious individuals, proved ineffective. However, he showed a slight response after being administered a dose of Narcan, a medication often used to counteract the effects of an opiate overdose.
Paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after and took over the life-saving efforts. Irsay was then transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. The police were given a list of medications that Irsay had been taking by a caretaker, but it was unclear what substances he had consumed prior to their arrival.
This incident occurred approximately a month before the Colts announced on January 9 that Irsay was receiving treatment for a severe respiratory illness. This illness had caused him to miss a scheduled performance with his band. Irsay, who is known for his public visibility, had not been seen in public for several weeks prior to the announcement.
In a statement released earlier this month, the Colts expressed that Irsay was receiving excellent care and was looking forward to returning to the stage as soon as possible. They also requested privacy for Irsay and his family during his recovery.
Irsay has been open about his struggles with addiction in the past. In a November interview with Andrea Kramer, he revealed that he had been to rehab at least 15 times and had previously overdosed while attempting to detox from multiple drugs.