Colts' Irsay blames 2014 arrest on prejudice against 'rich, white billionaire'

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told "Real Sports with Bryant Gumble" that his arrest almost a decade ago for driving under the influence happened because of police prejudice against a "rich, white billionaire."

"If I'm just the average guy down the block, they're not pulling me in, of course not," Irsay said in an interview aired Tuesday on HBO.

When asked how people would receive his comments, the 64-year-old answered, "I don't care what it sounds like. It's the truth."

Police in Carmel, Indiana, pulled over Irsay in 2014 for driving erratically and said the Colts owner failed field sobriety tests. Officers also found prescription drugs and $29,000 in cash in the vehicle.

A toxicology report later revealed Irsay had oxycodone and hydrocodone in his system.

"The arrest was wrong," Irsay said in the interview. "I had just had hip surgery and had been in the car for 45 minutes. And what, they asked me to walk the line? Are you kidding me? I can barely walk at all."

Tim Green, the police chief at the time of Irsay's arrest, responded to the owner's remarks, saying, "Some comments can be made without any type of evidence and proof," per Josh Peter of USA Today.

"People who do get stopped and arrested, I know that's not a good experience for them," Green said. "But sometimes they need to look at themselves and understand what the issue and problem is when it comes to driving while impaired, intoxicated alcohol wise or under other narcotics or prescription drugs."

Irsay pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in September 2014. The NFL also handed him a six-game suspension.

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