The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay acknowledged Tuesday night that he had become dependent on prescription painkillers, and said he has overcome the problem since undergoing treatment this past summer.

Irsay, 43, issued a statement in response to a report earlier Tuesday by Indianapolis television station WTHR, which said Irsay has a history of substance abuse that includes at least three overdoses of prescription drugs and treatment at clinics in Indiana and Arizona.

Irsay's statement said: "After several years of orthopedic operations and procedures, accompanied by long bouts of chronic pain, I became dependent on prescription pain medications."

He said he sought professional help at a treatment center outside Indiana.

"I have successfully dealt with my dependence and my chronic pain issues. This has been a personal journey, and I ask that my privacy, as well as that of my family, be respected on this health issue."

WTHR reported that Irsay has abused prescription painkillers since at least 1995. It said at least one Indiana doctor wrote excessive prescriptions for painkillers for Irsay.

That doctor, James Dickerson, wrote 50-60 prescriptions for as many as 2,000 tablets of painkillers, such as Lorcet, WTHR reported. Dickerson ended up losing his medical license.

The station reported that Irsay was being investigated by federal and local authorities for prescription drug fraud.

"Contrary to media reports, we have no reason to believe that Jim Irsay is the target of any investigation," Colts general counsel Dan Luther said in a statement that accompanied Irsay's remarks.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined Tuesday to comment on the report on Irsay.

The investigations could not be confirmed late Tuesday. Telephone messages were left at the offices of the city police, Marion County prosecutor and the U.S. attorney.

Irsay has not been charged with any crimes related to such an investigation.

Irsay's name surfaced in 1995 in an Indianapolis police drug investigation of Dickerson, the station reported. It said a prescription drug investigator met twice with Irsay, who was encouraged to seek help.

The station reported that Irsay underwent treatment for substance abuse at least twice at Sober Life Alternatives, a northside Indianapolis drug clinic, beginning in 1998. It said he also was treated at centers in Carmel, an Indianapolis suburb where Irsay lives, and in Arizona.

Irsay suffered overdoses from prescription drugs in April 2000, August 2000 and the fall of 2001, according to the report.

WTHR said Irsay would not discuss the matter with the station. It reported that aides said the issue was personal and inappropriate for the public.

The NFL's drug policy, which covers illegal drugs, alcohol and prescription drugs, says substance abuse is detrimental to football.

Numerous players, including former Colts player Shawn King, have been tested and suspended under the policy, and their punishments have been announced publicly.

Return to Bengals front page...