Colts owner Jim Irsay suspended six games, fined $500,000

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been suspended for six games and fined $500,000 by the NFL after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been suspended for six games and fined $500,000 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the league announced Tuesday.

The suspension begins tomorrow and will be lifted after the Colts' Oct. 9 game against the Houston Texans. From the NFL, here are the terms of the suspension:

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.

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Irsay pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of driving while impaired. He was sentenced to one year of probation, during which he will be drug tested and barred from possessing or consuming alcoholic beverages. If Irsay is arrested again for OWI within the next five years, the charge will become a felony, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Police who arrested Irsay on March 16 found painkillers and more than $29,000 in his vehicle. Irsay was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and four counts of possession of a controlled substance. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote a letter to Irsay. “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.”

- Chris Johnson