NFL Fines, Suspends Irsay
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay has been suspended by the National Football League for the first six games of the season and fined $500,000 for violating the league's personal conduct policy. His fine is the maximum permitted by NFL rules and stems from a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. A second misdemeanor charge was droppped.
September 2, 2014
News Release
NEW YORK, N.Y. – Following his plea of guilty to one misdemeanor count of driving while impaired, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been suspended for the team's first six regular-season games and fined $500,000 for violating the league's Personal Conduct Policy, the NFL announced today. Mr. Irsay will be eligible to return following the Colts' game against the Houston Texans on October 9.
Terms of the suspension imposed by Commissioner Roger Goodell include the following:
-During the suspension, which takes effect at 5 p.m. ET tomorrow, Mr. Irsay may not be present at the club’s facility, may not attend any practices or games, may not represent the club at league or league committee meetings or at any other team or league event, and may not conduct media interviews or engage in social media regarding any team or league matters.
-In addition, Mr. Irsay is fined $500,000, the maximum permitted under league rules.
-Irsay will be subject to ongoing treatment, counseling, and testing as determined by medical professionals and the Indiana court.
Commissioner Goodell noted that no draft choice forfeiture or other competitive sanction will be assessed because the conduct did not have competitive consequences.
In a letter to Mr. Irsay, Commissioner Goodell said, “I have stated on numerous occasions that owners, management personnel and coaches must be held to a higher standard than players. We discussed this during our meeting and you expressed your support for that view, volunteering that owners should be held to the highest standard.”
Source: The National Football League
September 2, 2014
Statement From Jim Irsay Posted By Our Partners at WTHR-TV in Indianapolis
“I acknowledge the mistake I made last March and stand responsible for the consequences of that mistake, for which I sincerely apologize to our community and to Colts fans everywhere. Even more importantly, though, I am committed to do everything in my power to turn this whole experience into a positive event for myself, my family, and the community. In retrospect, I now know that the incident opened my eyes to issues in my life that needed addressing and helped put me on the path to regain my health. I truly hope and pray that my episode will help in some small measure to diminish the stigma surrounding our country's terrible and deadly problem of addiction. It is a disease like other progressive, terminal diseases – one that can only be successfully treated by understanding, committed hard work, and spiritual growth. I am deeply grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support during these past few months from my family, friends, care-givers, and our great community. Please know I am firmly committed to staying on my path to good health and I look forward to a great season.