Breaking news in the NFL isn’t always about trades or coaching shakeups. Sometimes, it reads like a full-blown crime documentary. That’s exactly what’s happening with the death of former Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. According to a report by The Washington Post, the FBI has officially launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Yes, it’s serious enough that a federal grand jury subpoena is already in play.
The FBI is focusing on Irsay’s substance use during the final months of his life and the role of his California-based physician, Dr. Harry Haroutunian. As dramatic as it sounds, the reality may be even more disturbing. Investigation documents reportedly seek detailed records related to Irsay’s prescription and illegal drug use, as well as his relationship with the doctor.
The Washington Post summed it up bluntly:
Exclusive: The FBI is investigating the death of Jim Irsay, the former owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, as well as the recovery doctor who provided Irsay with prescription pain pills and ketamine, according to documents reviewed by The Post. https://t.co/n7Qbrl6CRp
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) January 22, 2026
Irsay died in May of last year at the age of 65. His death certificate listed cardiac arrest triggered by acute pneumonia, signed by Dr. Haroutunian himself. No autopsy was performed. And that’s where the questions begin, not end.
An August report revealed that Haroutunian allegedly supplied Irsay with ketamine and opioid pills, causing a secret relapse. This is especially unsettling since Irsay had publicly claimed he was clean from opioids. Investigators later found that more than 200 opioid pills were prescribed to him in a short span, leading to two overdoses in less than two weeks.
The irony is hard to miss. Irsay was the face behind “Kicking the Stigma,” a mental health initiative aimed at addressing addiction and mental health issues. Yet, in the end, addiction appears to have cast a long and tragic shadow over his own life.
The Colts organization has acknowledged awareness of the investigation but says the FBI has not contacted the team directly. Meanwhile, federal agents have been traveling in and out of Indianapolis, interviewing people close to Irsay.
On the field, the Colts won one Super Bowl under Irsay’s ownership. Off the field, his life now reads like an unresolved plot twist. Known for his generosity, charisma, and controversies, Jim Irsay was undeniably a larger-than-life figure.
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