Jim Irsay Reaches Plea Deal
By Evan Reller
Colts owner Jim Irsay has reached a plea deal on his impaired driving case from his March arrest. No details of the deal were released.
Irsay had a scheduled court date of October 30th. He was to stand trial for two misdemeanor charges of impaired driving.
“I can confirm that Mr. Irsay’s case has been set for a change of plea hearing on Tuesday, September 2nd at 11:00 a.m. in Hamilton Superior Court IV,” Andre Miksha, a spokesman for the Hamilton County prosecutor told the IndyStar. “I cannot provide any details of — or even verify the existence of — an agreement unless and until one would be tendered to the Court at such a hearing.”
The charges stem from Irsay’s arrest March 16 in Carmel. Prosecutors allege he had “oxycodone and/or hydrocodone” in his system and police records said officers “continuously had to support Irsay in order to prevent him from falling over.”
Irsay was arrested on March 16th in Carmel. He was alleged to have prescription strength painkillers in his system and that he was unable to stand under his own power.
Now that due process has run its course, the NFL can finally issue their punishment. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is walking a fine line with the upcoming punishment.
All NFL employees, including owners, are supposed to be held to the same code of conduct policy. While this incident clearly isn’t as bad as, say, domestic abuse, it is embarrassing for the NFL.
If Goodell takes a light hand, the NFLPA will be able to point to this situation every time a player is suspended under questionable circumstances.
Irsay should receive a four game suspension, a hefty fine, AND he has to be subject to the drug testing program. Someone has to hold Irsay accountable for his actions and help him stay clean. He wasn’t listening to his family and friends so now its time for the organization that made him a billionaire to take over.
While it is clear that not all people are equal, the owners of NFL teams should be held to a higher standard. The NFL will, and should, take action before the regular season begins.