NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was noncommittal today when asked about Colts owner Jim Irsay’s potential discipline after his arrest for driving while intoxicated and felony drug possession.
“We obviously will want to understand the facts before we take any steps as it relates to any potential discipline,” Goodell said. “But obviously any policies, or any laws that are broken, whether you’re commissioner, owner, player or coach, those are subject to discipline.”
Goodell said he believes Irsay, who had previously disclosed that he has struggled with an addiction to painkillers, took the right step by going directly from jail to a treatment center. He also said Irsay’s daughters are capable of running the team in his absence.
“He is seeking help and he has done that voluntarily. That’s, I think, the most important step, at least initially,” Goodell said.
A future step will almost certainly include some type of suspension that forces Irsay to take more time away from the Colts. But Goodell isn’t ready to commit to that just yet.