Jim Irsay is a danger to himself.
The Colts owner began his current self-sabotage by claiming in an interview with Bryant Gumbel on HBO’s Real Sports that his 2014 arrest was due to prejudice against rich white billionaires. Irsay then threatened to sue ESPN’s First Take based on statements made about him during Wednesday’s broadcast.
Irsay continued. He posted this on I don’t know your name and I don’t care. If my black mother Dorthy were still alive, you would be in great heat! You are mean and ugly. You’re a nothing burger.”
It is unclear whether Irsay was referring to Molly Qerim or Kimberley A. Martin, both of whom appeared in the section dedicated to Irsay’s comments about bias against billionaires.
Regardless, it’s inappropriate. This is inappropriate for Irsay, the Colts and the NFL. As I said during training camp when Irsay talked about running backs in general and Jonathan Taylor in particular, Irsay is not fit to lead an NFL team.
Fitness doesn’t matter. He owns the team. There is no effective mechanism to force him to sell unless he crosses Snyder-esque boundaries.
Still, his comments on HBO and his Wednesday segments on X make everyone look bad. Ultimately, he needs someone to protect him from himself.
He shouldn’t have done the HBO interview. Someone should have intervened to stop it. He shouldn’t have posted what he posted on X today. Someone should have intervened to stop it.
We have reached out to the NFL for comment. The league cannot be satisfied with the situation. The Colts can’t be happy with the situation.
Irsay shouldn’t have said what he said to HBO. He shouldn’t have posted a threat to sue ESPN’s First Take. He shouldn’t have attacked one of the show’s female cast members.
Ultimately, he shouldn’t own the Colts. However, as 49ers CEO Jed York said a few years ago, you can’t fire an owner.
Many fan bases – along with the NFL – would be far better off if they could.