Jim Irsay Cites Status as ‘White Billionaire’ for 2014 Arrest

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay said his 2014 arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated was a result of police prejudice against him for being “a rich, white billionaire.”

Irsay discussed the circumstances of his arrest as part of a wide-ranging interview with HBO Sports. The longtime Colts owner pleaded guilty in September 2014 to one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

When asked why he pleaded guilty, Irsay responded: “Just to get it over with.”

“I am prejudiced against because I’m a rich, white billionaire,” Irsay said during the interview, which aired Tuesday night. “If I’m just the average guy down the block, they’re not pulling me in, of course not.”

Irsay was asked how he thought his assertion would be received.

“I don’t care what it sounds like,” Irsay said. “It’s the truth. … I could give a damn what people think how anything sounds or sounds like. The truth is the truth, and I know the truth.”

Police in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel pulled Irsay over in March 2014 after he was spotted driving slowly, stopping in the roadway and failing to use a turn signal. Officers said he had trouble reciting the alphabet and failed other field sobriety tests.

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