Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay sent shockwaves through the NFL Tuesday when he came out strong against Washington Commanders owner Daniel Snyder at the NFL’s owner’s meetings.
“I believe there is merit to removing him as owner of the [Commanders],” Irsay said. “There’s consideration that he should be removed.”
Irsay also said the NFL could “potentially” have the 24 votes needed to unseat Snyder as the owner of Washington.
The Commanders quickly responded to Irsay, and Snyder also sent a letter to the other 31 owners. The tone in each correspondence was vastly different.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated caught up with Irsay later Tuesday evening and asked him why it was important for him to come out and rebuke Snyder. Irsay cited his three daughters and seven granddaughters and the family culture the Colts have built.
“I don’t like the fact that sometimes the way owners are viewed, people think we can do whatever we want, with all the sorts of issues that are out there. Because that’s not true,” Irsay said. “This is not what we stand for, this sort of thing. I mean, it’s absolutely not. So the league’s very important to me. I’ve been taught by founders of the league and, like I said, Lamar [of the Chiefs] and Wellington [Giants] and Dan Rooney [Steelers] that you do what’s best for the Colts but what’s best for the league, too. You have to protect the shield to protect the league, and I don’t like to see the shield damaged. And right now, the shield is taking some damage from all this.”
Washington’s organization is under multiple investigations for sexual harassment accusations and a toxic workplace culture.
That’s when the talk turned back to the women in Irsay’s life, per Breer.
“Just having three daughters and seven granddaughters, I can relate to that sort of thing—my seven granddaughters, as they venture off in different forms of working for organizations,” Irsay said. “I know the culture that we have in Indianapolis. I know the special culture that we have and the family atmosphere that we have developed there. That’s important to me, and I believe it’s important to many owners in this league, because that’s what we’re about.”
On Wednesday, Irsay took to Twitter, seemingly referencing his words against Snyder.
“…You gotta stand,for something…or you’re gonna fall..for anything…”. JM🙏🏼
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) October 19, 2022
No other owner was willing to go on record with their thoughts on Snyder’s situation as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell cautioned everyone against speculation.
The Colts and Commanders meet in Week 8 in Indianapolis.
