The final months of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay are now under a new spotlight. Reports suggest he received ketamine treatments amidst a relapse before his death, raising questions about his private health struggles. What do these revelations mean for his complex legacy?
New reports have shed a revealing light on the complex final months of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, detailing his alleged relapse into addiction and the use of prescribed ketamine treatments leading up to his untimely death. This information emerges as the football world continues to reflect on the life and legacy of a figure known for both his passion for the game and his very public struggles with substance abuse.
According to the recent report, Irsay was under the care of an addiction specialist who prescribed him both opioids and ketamine, a controversial combination in the context of addiction recovery. The revelation of these specific treatments adds a new layer to the narrative surrounding his long-standing battle with substance use, a battle he often spoke about openly.
Throughout his life, Jim Irsay was remarkably candid about his struggles, once admitting to attending rehabilitation “at least 15 times.” His personal journey deeply informed his philanthropic efforts, leading him to establish a foundation dedicated to addressing mental illness and addiction, a cause he championed with genuine conviction.
Concerns about Irsay’s health were not new; sixteen months prior to his passing, the Indianapolis Colts organization announced he was receiving treatment for a “severe respiratory illness.” Later, in December 2023, reports surfaced of an alleged overdose, which Irsay publicly denied, attributing his condition instead to a serious hematoma on his leg.
However, the new investigation suggests a more troubled period, with witnesses claiming Irsay was “in the throes of a relapse” that the Colts organization “repeatedly hid from the public.” The report cited multiple individuals who observed him ingesting opioids and others who saw him taking ketamine, painting a picture of intense private struggles.
A critical aspect of the report highlights concerns from witnesses regarding the treatments Irsay received from Dr. Harry Haroutunian, a California-based addiction specialist. Witnesses reportedly expressed apprehension about Dr. Haroutunian’s decision to prescribe Irsay opioids during the last two years of his life, given his known history of opioid addiction.
Ultimately, Dr. Haroutunian signed Irsay’s death certificate, which listed cardiac arrest due to pneumonia and heart issues as the official cause of death. Despite the new revelations, the Beverly Hills Police Department concluded its investigation, finding no signs of an overdose or illicit drug use, and no autopsy or toxicology results were performed, leaving some aspects of his final health details unconfirmed by forensic examination.
In response to the report, the Irsay family issued a statement acknowledging their ongoing grief and emphasizing their father’s multifaceted identity. Their message underscored his resilience, his personal struggles with addiction, and his profound love for his family, friends, and the wider community, recognizing the complex legacy he leaves behind.
