Colts owner Jim Irsay in suspected overdose after being found unresponsive

The billionaire owner of the Colts was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor after a suspected overdose, police said.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. Picture: Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was found unresponsive, gasping for air and cold during a suspected overdose this past December, according to TMZ.

Cops labelled the incident as an “overdose” and “overdose/poisoning,” per the report.

Police were called to Irsay’s home in Carmel, Indiana, around 4.30am on December 8, according to police department documents cited by TMZ, after an individual informed the police they had found Irsay unconscious on his bathroom floor and his skin had turned blue.

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Irsay was in his bed by the time the police arrived, but he was having breathing issues, a weak pulse and constricted pupils, according to the report.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. Picture: Justin Casterline/Getty Images

The police unsuccessfully attempted to wake Irsay with a sternum rub, per TMZ, and “he responded slightly” after one dose of Narcan, which can be used to help individuals who have overdosed on opiates.

Paramedics then arrived to handle “livesaving (sic) efforts,” before Irsay was transported via ambulance to a nearby hospital.

Police were provided via a caretaker the medications Irsay was taking.

Jim Irsay has struggled with addiction. Picture: Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Jim Irsay is a colourful character. Picture: JC Olivera/Getty Images

“At this time, it is unknown what Mr. Irsay had ingested prior to our arrival,” police wrote in their report, according to TMZ.

This incident happened roughly one month before the Colts announced on Jan. 9 that Irsay was being treated for a “severe respiratory illness” that caused him to miss a scheduled show for his band.

An ESPN Colts reporter noted at the time that Irsay, who is one of the more highly visible owners in the NFL, had not been seen in public for several weeks.

“While this unfortunately means he won’t be able to perform with his band this week in Los Angeles, he is receiving excellent care and looks forward to returning to the stage as soon as possible,” the Colts’ statement said earlier this month. “We’ll have no additional information at this time and we ask that you respect the privacy of Jim and his family as he recovers.”

Irsay told Andrea Kramer in November that he has battled addiction.

He said he’s been to rehab “at least 15 times” and once overdosed while attempting to detox when he mixed multiple drugs.

“The doctor goes, ‘Um, Jim, you’re one lucky man because I had signed virtually the death certificate,” Irsay told Kramer during an episode of “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.”

Jim Irsay’s net worth is estimated to be $6.4 billion ($US4.3 billion).

This story was published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission

Originally published as Colts owner Jim Irsay in suspected overdose after being found unresponsive