Just days before some of the biggest games of the year, the FBI has suddenly launched a massive probe into one of the NFL’s most hallowed and storied franchises.
As first reported The Washington Post, FBI officials have reportedly launched a probe into the death of longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay.
The Indianapolis Colts on Thursday acknowledged the existence of an FBI investigation into the death of former owner Jim Irsay and the potential involvement of a California doctor who reportedly prescribed him pain pills and ketamine. https://t.co/7xBj7ybPf3
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 22, 2026
According to the report, investigators are examining his use of prescription drugs and ketamine and the role of a California addiction doctor who treated him in the months before his death.
The FBI issued a federal grand jury subpoena earlier this month seeking records related to Irsay’s death, his alleged use of illegal and prescription drugs, and his relationship with Dr. Harry Haroutunian, a California-based addiction specialist who treated him before his death, according to the outlet.
The report also noted that federal investigators spent several days in Indianapolis earlier this month as part of the inquiry.
“I do understand that there have been some subpoenas issued, but not to me, the Colts or any of our current employees,” Colts Chief Legal Officer Dan Emerson told the Washington Post on Thursday, in a statement.
Irsay, who became owner of the Colts in 1997, died in May at age 65.
Irsay had several health issues over the course of his life and even battled drug and alcohol addiction, once admitting he had been to rehab “at least 15 times.”
In December 2023, police were called to Irsay’s home around 4:30 a.m. and found him in bed unresponsive and cold during what authorities called a “suspected overdose.”
Irsay disputed the incident at the time.
“It wasn’t an overdose,” Irsay told Fox 59 in Indianapolis at the time.
“I don’t know why, when you have your name in the paper in the past, people throw that out there quickly. I don’t pay attention to it all that much, but I don’t think it’s fair.”
The Colts announced in January 2024 that Irsay was being treated for a “severe respiratory illness.” That February, he posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was “on the mend.”
But according to accounts from the Washington Post report, Haroutunian allegedly prescribed over 200 opioid pills before Irsay’s December 2023 overdose with one overdose taking place at his Indianapolis home and another at a Miami rental home. Haroutunian also allegedly prescribed ketamine to Irsay.
However, suspicious details surrounding Irsay’s death began to surface.
Isray’s death certificate was signed by Haroutunian, who said the longtime owner died of cardiac arrest caused by acute pneumonia, with the two heart conditions as contributing factors.
However, no official autopsy was ever performed, according to reports.
The FBI declined to comment on the probe.
The Colts released a statement Thursday addressing the investigation.
“We are aware of the investigation, but at this time, we’ve not been contacted by the FBI or been served with any subpoenas,” the statement read.