Colts owner Jim Irsay says he was arrested for being ‘rich, white billionaire,’ details fight with addiction

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he was arrested because he is a “rich white billionaire” and struggles with addiction.

Nearly a decade after his 2014 drunken driving arrest, Colts owner Jim Irsay said he was targeted because he was a “rich white billionaire.” He told HBO Sports that he has overcome a long battle with drug addiction.

In a wide-ranging interview with Andrea Kremer that aired Tuesday, Irsay admitted to struggling with substance abuse in the years following his powerlifting career. But he dismissed the notion that his arrest was a low point before pleading guilty and receiving a six-game suspension from the NFL.

“No, because the arrest was a mistake,” he told the Indianapolis Star. “I had hip surgery and I was in the car for 45 minutes. What should I do? They ask me to take turns. You’re kidding? I can barely walk.”

He reiterated that he failed the field sobriety tests because of the surgery, not because he was taking painkillers, and added that he pleaded guilty to the drunk driving charge “just to get over it.” But his status also played a role. He proved it. “I’m biased because I’m a rich white billionaire,” he said. “If I was a regular neighborhood guy, I certainly wouldn’t have followed suit. …I don’t care how it sounds. It’s true. … The truth is the truth and I know the truth.”

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Carmel, Indiana, police responded to Irsay’s comments after the interview aired. “We are very sorry to hear these comments about our officers and our department,” Lt. D. Shoef told the Star about it. “We have a very professional executive office committed to protecting our community with integrity and professionalism.”

Irsay said in an interview that he has been sober since 2002, although he has been to rehab at least 15 times for alcoholism and addiction to painkillers. The Colts’ success during the Peyton Manning era appears to have aided his recovery.