Jim Irsay's secret drug shame revealed: Billionaire Colts owner 'had relapsed in his final years'

The late Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay, had relapsed in his substance addiction in the years before his death, allegedly suffering as many as three overdoses after being administered ketamine and opioids, a new report has claimed. 

The Colts' outspoken and sometimes controversial owner, who was rarely seen in public during the last NFL season, died at the age of 65 in May. 

Over the years, the billionaire had been open about his crippling addiction problems, admitting to going to rehab on multiple occasions for an alcoholism and painkiller addiction. 

Despite often speaking proudly of his battles to overcome his addictions, a bombshell report from The Washington Post has now claimed that Irsay had suffered a severe relapse in the two years before his death. 

Irsay was reportedly prescribed opioids and ketamine in concerning amounts by an addiction specialist doctor and suffered multiple overdoses. 

The Daily Mail has chosen to keep the identity of the doctor anonymous. He was not immediately available for comment. 

According to five sources speaking to The Washington Post under anonymity, the recovery doctor is said to have supplied Irsay with opioid pills. Nurses are also said to have been seen injecting the NFL owner with ketamine under the doctor's direction. 

Ketamine, the anesthetic that contributed to the 2023 death of 'Friends' star Matthew Perry, reportedly poses a risk to patients with a history of substance abuse or heart conditions. 

Perry was found dead face down in his jacuzzi back on October 29, 2023. A medical examiner later ruled that the Hollywood star - who had battled substance abuse issues throughout his life - had died of 'acute effects of ketamine.' Earlier this month, drug dealer Jasveen Sangha took a plea deal for allegedly supplying the fatal dose. 

Irsay was suffering with a heart condition, according to the report. His death certificate was signed by the same doctor, who listed Irsay's cause of death as cardiac arrest cause by pneumonia and heart issues.

Irsay passed away at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where the doctor who was allegedly prescribing him with opioids and ketamine was also reportedly staying at the time. 

The Daily Mail has contacted the Beverly Hills Hotel for comment but did not immediately hear back. 

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner declined to conduct an autopsy. The department told The Post that it did not consider his death sudden, violent or unexpected. 

Beverly Hills police also closed their investigation into Irsay's death just days following his passing. Officers reportedly saw no signs of an overdose or drug use at the scene of his death, a spokesperson said. 

Yet, the bombshell report has now claimed that Irsay suffered as many as three overdoses in the final five years of his life. 

He is said to have suffered two opioid overdoses within two weeks of each other in December 2023. Irsay allegedly first overdosed at his home in Indianapolis and then again 12 days later at a beachfront resort near Miami, Florida. 

The Florida overdose is said to have left Irsay hospitalized for almost four months, which, at the time, the Colts attributed to a respiratory disease. 

In the days before the incident in Florida, the addiction specialist doctor allegedly prescribed Irsay more than 200 opioid pills.

'I dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him … as a brother,' the doctor told The Post. 'We did everything we could to make him as comfortable as possible.' 

Irsay also suffered a previous overdose over three years prior while in Turks and Caicos, The Post claims. 

When contacted by the Daily Mail for comment in response to the shocking claims, the Colts did not directly address the concerning reports surrounding Irsay's treatment and instead asked for privacy. 

'We continue to grieve the loss of our Dad, a man defined not only by his role as owner of the Colts, but also by his resilience, his personal struggles, and his deep love for family, friends, and community,' a statement attributed to Irsay's three daughters read. 

His daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson, assumed co-ownership of the Colts organization following his passing. 

'Throughout his life, our Dad was open about his battles with addiction and mental health. He never claimed to be perfect. Instead, he used his voice to reduce stigma and advocate for those facing similar challenges, with honesty, vulnerability, and compassion,' their statement continued.

'We understand the public interest in his life and legacy. While we respect the role of responsible journalism, we decline to comment on the allegations in your inquiry. The media is not the place to address inquiries about information which is disputed, lacks essential context, or involves private medical matters.

'Our focus remains on honoring our Dad's legacy, his decades of philanthropy, his loyalty to the Colts and its fans, and his passion for mental health advocacy, music, and second chances.

'We ask for continued privacy as we move through this difficult time.'

In December 2023, police officers from Carmel, Indiana responded to a 911 call from Irsay´s home and officers found him breathing but unresponsive and with a bluish skin tone.

The report said Pete Ward, Irsay´s longtime right-hand man and the teams chief operating officer, told officers he was worried Irsay was suffering from congestive heart failure and that Irsay´s nurse had said his oxygen level was low, his breathing was labored and he was 'mostly' unconscious.

Police later characterized the incident in a report as a suspected overdose. However, Irsay disputed that report. 

When his hospitalization became public knowledge a month later, the Colts and Irsay provided conflicting explanations. The franchise said that Irsay had been diagnosed with a 'severe respiratory illness,' while Irsay himself later said that he had been recovering from back surgery.

During his annual training camp news conference last summer, Irsay told reporters he was continuing to rehab from two subsequent surgeries - though he remained seated in his golf cart. 

Irsay acknowledged in 2002 that he had become dependent on painkillers after several years of orthopedic operations but said he had overcome the problem after undergoing treatment.

A decade on from publicly opening up on his addiction, Irsay told ESPN that he had since been sober from pills and alcohol. 

However, in 2014 Irsay was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated and possession of illegal prescription drugs following a traffic stop in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel. 

He insisted that a recent hip surgery was why he failed a field sobriety test, not alcohol. 

Days later, he checked himself into rehab. In the statement, the team thanked fans for their support and applauded Irsay's decision to seek help. 

He was suspended for six games and fined $500,000 by the NFL for his substance abuse.  

Irsay was rarely seen throughout the 2024 NFL season but sparked concerns among fans of the team when he was spotted requiring a StairSteady to manoeuvre around the Colts' Lucas OIl Stadium during their Week 18 game in January.