Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay's Arrest in 2014: A Controversial Statement on Privilege
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay claims he faced prejudice due to his wealth and race when arrested for driving under the influence in 2014
In a recent interview, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay revealed that he felt discriminated against due to his wealth and race when he was arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2014. Despite pleading guilty to the offense later that year, Irsay claims that his status as a "rich, White billionaire" played a role in his arrest.
"I face prejudice because I'm a wealthy, White billionaire," Irsay stated in an interview with Andrea Kremer on Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.
"If I were just an ordinary person from the neighborhood, they wouldn't be targeting me, obviously," Irsay added. His net worth is $4.3 billion, according to Forbes.
CNN has contacted the Colts and the Carmel Police department for their response.
Lt. DJ Schoeff of the Carmel Police said in a statement to the Indianapolis Star, "We deeply regret the comments made about our officers and our department."
"The agency is composed of dedicated officers committed to safeguarding our community with honesty and professionalism," the statement stated.
Irsay was arrested on March 16, 2014, in Carmel, Indiana, and charged with driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance. Prescription drugs were found in pill bottles at the time of the arrest, but they were not connected to any prescription bottles in the vehicle, according to police.
According to courtroom evidence, Irsay had the painkillers oxycodone and hydrocodone in his system when he was arrested.
The probable cause affidavit stated that the Colts owner had slow and slurred speech, red and glassy eyes, and very unsteady balance. He failed multiple field sobriety tests, had difficulty reciting the alphabet, and told an officer that he was struggling to find his house. As a result, the NFL suspended Irsay for the first six regular-season games and fined him $500,000 for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
After being arrested, Irsay chose to enter a rehabilitation facility voluntarily. He has openly discussed his addiction battles in the past. When Kremer asked if he realized how his accusations of prejudice might be perceived by the public, the Colts owner replied that he wasn't concerned.
Irsay attributed the failed sobriety test to a hip that had not fully recovered from surgery, stating that he could "barely walk at all." He further admitted to pleading guilty to the misdemeanor in order to "get it over with."
"That's the truth. I don't care about people's opinions or how things might appear. The truth is the truth," he emphasized.
Irsays assertions of prejudice sparked wide criticism online, with ESPN pundit Stephen A. Smith calling it "ridiculous."
"It just shows how detached he is," Smith said on ESPNs First Take.
Irsay, the owner of the Colts since 1997, addressed the online criticism by posting on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating: "There was NO alcohol, No illegal drugs." Reporting contributed by CNN's Jill Martin and Thomas Schlachter.
