INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts remain Jim Irsay’s team.
That point was driven home Wednesday by General Manager Chris Ballard.
“Look, at the end of the day we’re not going to do anything without his approval,’’ he said during a meeting with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine. “We still keep him in the loop. You know him. He wants to know. He loves this team. He’s making his way and doing well. He’s getting better.’’
The status of Irsay, 64, has been in question for the past few months.
There was a 911 call on Dec. 8 and officers and paramedics were dispatched to his Carmel residence. The police documented “overdose’’ as the reason for their response.
After Irsay attended the Colts’ Dec. 16 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium, the team announced he would be unable to perform with his band at a Jan. 11 Jim Irsay Collection concert in Los Angeles. The team said he was being treated for a “severe respiratory illness . . . and is receiving excellent care and looks forward to returning to the stage as soon as possible.’’
Throughout the ordeal, the family asked for its privacy to be respected.
Irsay finally returned to the public scene with a Feb. 6 post on X (formerly Twitter).
“On the mend,’’ he posted. “Grateful for all the messages of love and support.’’
Ballard made it clear Irsay is involved in the daily operations of the franchise.
“We stay in touch,’’ he said. “He is progressing. We are talking. Shane (Steichen) and I have talked to him multiple times and we keep him abreast of anything.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.
