Colts owner claims he’s ‘doing terrific’ after leg surgery

Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts, claimed in an interview Friday that he is “doing great” after leg surgery.

Irsay’s statements to Fox 59/CBS 4’s Mike Chappell are his first public interview since it was disclosed in January that he was being treated for a severe respiratory disease.

“I’ve appreciated all of the prayers and concerns,” Irsay told Chappell from the hospital. “It’s a long path, so you have to be patient. The good news is that everything is going nicely.

Irsay stated on Friday that the leg treatment was done to increase his mobility, and that he has had 26 surgeries in the last seven years.

“I’m getting out of the hospital in a couple of days, maybe by Monday,” Irsay stated. “You just have to be patient.” It’ll take some rehabilitation, which I’ve already begun, to get me started. I only need to regain my strength and mobility. Everything else is going well.

Irsay previously stated on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on February 6 that he was “on the mend.”

Irsay also revealed on Friday that he will present veteran Colts star safety Dwight Freeney when he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.

After his father, Robert, suffered a stroke in 1995, Irsay, 64, took over daily operations of the team. When his father died in 1997, he won a legal struggle against his stepmother to maintain the franchise.