Colts Owner Jim Irsay Facing Four Felony Counts After DUI Arrest

Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, was arrested late Sunday night on suspicion of intoxicated driving. The arrest came after failing several roadside field sobriety tests administered by police at the scene.

After Irsay was taken into custody, officers found multiple prescription drugs inside his vehicle. According to the arresting officers, “multiple prescription drugs were discovered in pill bottles. These Schedule IV prescription drugs were not associated with any prescription bottles found in the vehicle.”

The drugs found in the vehicle are said to include Xanax, Darvocet and Ambien. Xanxax is a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed for anxiety, Darvocet is an opioid prescribed for pain, and Ambien is a prescription sleep aid known to cause hallucinations if used improperly.

He was taken into custody at the scene, where he remained until being released Monday afternoon. Irsay’s  first court appearance in the matter is scheduled for March 26. He is facing four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, which, if convicted, could earn him six months to three years on each count.

Though it’s hard to imagine it’ll come to that. While it’s clear Irsay is struggling with some serious demons, he hasn’t made a habit out of getting arrested. Which means it’s more likely than not that deal that keeps him out of jail will be struck.

In addition to dealing with the legal consequences stemming from his arrest, Irsay will also be subjected to some sort of discipline from the NFL. There’s no set rules for dealing with top level executives and owners in such situations, leaving it up to commissioner Roger Goodell to handle on a case-by-case basis.

ESPN’s Mike Wells noted the similarities between the Irsay case and that of Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand, “who was suspended for 30 days and fined $100,000 in 2010 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following his guilty plea to driving while impaired.”

Although at this point, it seems league discipline is the least of Irsay’s worries. Headlines generated in the wake of his arrest paint a very bleak picture of the demons he’s battling and his current state of mind. Hopefully he’ll focus on himself for awhile, and leave NFL business up to someone else.