Secrets don’t stay buried for long. Months after Jim Irsay’s death, a new report claims the beloved Colts owner was dealing with a hidden relapse that insiders worked hard to keep away from the public eye.
The Washington Post revealed this, saying Irsay spent the last two years of his life caught in the grip of addiction again, despite his long history of speaking openly about those struggles. The details raise tough questions, especially after the team dismissed concerns last winter by calling his condition a “severe respiratory illness.”
Jim Irsay’s Private Struggles And Public Denials
According to the Post, Irsay’s treatment under California-based addiction specialist Harry Haroutunian turned controversial. Haroutunian allegedly prescribed more than 200 opioid pills before Irsay overdosed twice in December 2023, once in Indianapolis and once in Miami. Police suspected an overdose both times, yet the Colts and Irsay himself pushed back against those claims.
When a team executive called 911 during one incident, they told dispatchers that Irsay’s heart might be failing, not that he had taken pills. Behind the scenes, sources said his care escalated to ketamine injections in the months before his death in May at age 65. Haroutunian stood by his role, saying, “I dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him … as a brother.” He later stopped responding to questions about the prescriptions and treatment.
Actually, Irsay’s death certificate, which Haroutunian signed, gave cardiac arrest as the cause. The Colts family released a joint statement afterward, saying, “Our Dad was open about his battles with addiction and mental health. He never claimed to be perfect.” The daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, now lead the franchise after this.
For many fans, the revelation feels confusing, yet celebrities and supporters paid emotional tributes as friends and family honored Irsay’s life after his death.
