Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay faced a period of relapse before his death in May at age 65, according to a report from the Washington Post published Thursday. Irsay, who had been open about his struggle with substance abuse, reportedly “spent the last two years of his life in the throes of a relapse,” an NFL executive told the newspaper.
The report states that Irsay was prescribed ketamine by a private physician, Dr. Harry Haroutunian, who also signed Irsay’s death certificate and identified cardiac arrest as the cause of death. Concerns were raised by those close to Irsay regarding the care he received from Haroutunian, a California-based addiction specialist. According to sources cited by the Washington Post, Haroutunian prescribed more than 200 opioid pills in the months leading up to two reported overdose incidents involving Irsay in December 2023—one at his Indianapolis residence and another at a rental property in Miami. The treatment later escalated to ketamine injections prior to his passing.
Haroutunian spoke with the Washington Post by phone prior to declining further comment on details of their reporting. He said: “I dedicated 18 months of my life to try to care for him … as a brother (…) We did everything we could to make him as comfortable as possible.”
Following publication of these details, Irsay’s daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson—who have assumed ownership responsibilities for the Colts—released a statement through the Indianapolis Star addressing their father’s legacy and struggles: “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,” said the family. “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.”
Jim Irsay began overseeing daily operations for the Colts after his father Robert suffered a stroke in 1995. After legal disputes within the family over team ownership following Robert’s death in 1997—which stemmed from Robert’s purchase and swap involving both NFL franchises—the younger Irsay retained control.
Jim Irsay became general manager at age twenty-five after moving with the team from Baltimore to Indianapolis in 1984. Under his ownership tenure—which included Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Peyton Manning‘s thirteen seasons as quarterback—the Colts won one Super Bowl title and two American Football Conference championships.
