Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, caused a stir on social media this week after threatening to sue ESPN’s “First Take” over commentary made about his past arrest. He also made derogatory comments about Kimberley A. Martin, an ESPN personality who had criticized him on the show.
Martin responded with a one-word message correcting his grammatical mistake and changed her title on social media to read “Woman that preceded Stephen A.”
During an interview with Andrea Kremer on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,” Irsay discussed his 2014 DUI arrest. He claimed that he had difficulty walking due to his recent hip surgery, not because of any painkillers. He also said that he was “prejudiced against because I am a rich white billionaire.” When Kremer challenged him on this statement, Irsay replied: “I don’t care what it sounds like. It’s the truth.”
His comments were widely criticized, including by Martin on “First Take.” She said: “What’s frustrating is his comments exemplify exactly what people think – NFL owners are detached…He came off like he’s a victim. And that anyone who has had as many opportunities as he has had share just by virtue of his name, the family he was raised in, and the color of his skin – like it just bothered me on a lot of levels.”
Irsay hasn’t been strange to controversy
Tim Green, the police chief at the time of Irsay’s arrest, also disputed his allegation that he was targeted because of his wealth and race. He told USA Today: “I would just hope that he would reevaluate what he said there because I think he knows that’s not the case in this matter…”
Irsay’s behavior on social media has been criticized before. In 2014, he was fined $500,000 and suspended for six games by the NFL after pleading guilty to driving while intoxicated. During that time, he made several controversial comments on social media, including tweeting a photo of a naked woman and making derogatory comments about former Colts player Peyton Manning.
Irsay’s recent comments have once again drawn attention to the issue of privilege in the NFL. As Martin pointed out on “First Take,” many owners are detached from the realities faced by players and fans.