Jim Irsay On 2014 Arrest, Cops Targeted Me ‘Because I’m A Rich, White Billionaire’

Jim Irsay says he was focused by police throughout his 2014 arrest … emphatically believing cops have been prejudiced in opposition to him as a result of he is “a rich, white billionaire.”

The Indianapolis Colts proprietor made the eyebrow-raising statements to Andrea Kremer throughout an interview with HBO Sports activities that aired earlier this week.

Of their chat, Kremer requested Irsay if his DUI arrest in Carmel, Ind. some 9 years in the past was a “low point” for him … and some seconds later, he sounded off.

“I am prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire,” Irsay advised her. “If I’m just the average guy down the block, they’re not pulling me in, of course not.”

Carmel police had mentioned on the time of the arrest they stopped Irsay for, amongst different issues, driving too slowly in addition to failing to make use of his flip sign. They finally put him in cuffs after they claimed he failed their sobriety checks.

Dashcam footage from the scene appeared to indicate Irsay having hassle strolling whereas speaking with cops outdoors of his automotive. Cops say toxicology outcomes, in the meantime, confirmed he had a number of painkillers in his system, together with oxycodone and hydrocodone.

Irsay, nonetheless, nonetheless advised Kremer, “The arrest was wrong.”

“I had just had hip surgery, and had been in the car for 45 minutes,” he mentioned. “And what — they asked me to walk the line? Are you kidding me? I can barely walk at all.”

Irsay eventually pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor depend of working a car whereas intoxicated … and was sentenced to 1 yr probation. He advised Kremer he solely reduce the take care of prosecutors as a result of he needed to get the case “over with.”

For the Carmel Police Division’s half, it mentioned in an announcement to The Indianapolis Star on Tuesday relating to Irsay’s allegations, “We are very sorry to hear that comment about our officers and our department.”