Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking at the league owners meetings Monday, said Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is subject to discipline following his arrest last week.
“He is seeking help, and he’s done that voluntarily,” Goodell said at the meetings in Orlando, Fla. “To my knowledge, there’s been no formal charges at this point. Obviously, any policies or laws that are broken, whether they are commissioner, player or coach, those are subject to discipline.”
Irsay checked into a health-care treatment facility on March 18 following his arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, along with four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.
When Goodell spoke to the media Monday, he was asked about Irsay’s situation immediately.
“Jim is serving on quite a few committees. He’s even chair of one committee in particular. We grew up in this league together,” Goodell said. “He’s someone who loves this game. He brings an important perspective to it. But that’s not the priority now. The priority is for Jim to take care of his issues. He has an organization he’s very proud of and three girls who are very smart, capable and effective.”
According to CBSSports.com, Goodell — who was asked three separate times about Irsay — wouldn’t address whether Irsay’s decision to check himself into treatment would positively impact any punishment he might face.
“I’m not going to play the hypothetical game on that,” Goodell said. “If policies, laws were violated, we have a personal-conduct policy and that’s important to us, and it applies to everyone in the league, including ownership.”
Goodell also addressed other issues.
The concerns surrounding the incident between Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin with the Miami Dolphins have yet to be fully addressed, Goodell said.
Goodell said the league would meet with the union on April 8 to discuss workplace environment issues.
The NFL hasn’t ruled out the possibility of eventually changing the name of the Washington Redskins, according to Goodell. The league is willing to listen to all concerned parties.
