Irsay has long battle with addiction

Says back injury is at root of troubles

Jim Irsay walking out of jail Monday after an arrest for driving while under the influence and possession of a controlled substance revealed a stark reality: The owner of the Indianapolis Colts again is battling personal issues.

In 2002, Irsay checked himself into a rehabilitation facility after becoming dependent on prescription pain medications. That revelation came after he was linked to a federal investigation involving possible prescription drug fraud by a plastic surgeon.

Irsay never was charged and issued a statement addressing his personal situation:

“After several years of orthopedic operations and procedures, accompanied by long bouts of chronic pain, I became dependent on prescription pain medication. This summer I sought professional help at a nationally recognized facility located outside Indiana. I have successfully dealt with my dependence and my chronic pain issues.”

“You get to the point where you say, ‘OK, that’s it. I’m done.’ White flags going up.”

Jim Irsay to ESPN in 2012

During that investigation, a retired detective told The Indianapolis Star she had conversations with Irsay regarding possible prescription drug problems as far back as 1995. An NFL spokesman acknowledged at the time Irsay had “discussed his medical issues with Commissioner (Paul) Tagliabue on several recent occasions.”

Retired detective Irene Conder told The Star in a June 2003 interview the league offered to help Irsay get proper treatment for his possible addiction in the mid-1990s, but he declined.

“I went to the Colts training complex with a physician who is an expert on prescription drug abuse,” Conder said, adding she and Bill Mattingly, a retired FBI agent who worked in security for the NFL, offered to get Irsay help through the league.

When Irsay balked, Conder insisted she left him with a stern warning.

“I told him ... ‘ You go to treatment, OK. If not, if I can put a case on you, I will,’ ” she told The Star.

In a 2005 interview with The Star, Irsay described the 2002 stint in rehab as his greatest moment.

“When you’re brushing up against a potentially fatal disease and you’re able to heal yourself and move forward, that’s your finest hour, not your darkest or most regrettable,” Irsay said. “The main thing is there was a problem; I took care of it. ... Some people aren’t as lucky to pull through this.”

In a 2012 interview with ESPN, he linked his addiction to pain pills and alcohol to his back injury.

“For me, when I hurt my back and those sorts of things, it was primarily painkillers,” he said. “But I was in the party lane in the ’70s. I spilled more than you’ve drank, put it that way.

“At some point, when you’ve fought this thing and it’s kicked your ass so much and it’s beat you so much, you get to the point where you say, ‘ OK, that’s it. I’m done.’ White flags going up.”

Irsay faces a March 26 court date after being arrested late Sunday. Carmel police said he was under the influence, and a search of Irsay’s vehicle uncovered several pill bottles.

According to the police report, Irsay failed several roadside sobriety tests.