Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has been suspended from six games and also was slapped with a $500,000 fine for impaired driving.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell dropped the punishment on Tuesday, not long after Irsay pleaded guilty to impaired driving, the Indianapolis Star reports. He was fined the maximum amount allowed.
The Colts will not be forced to forfeit any draft picks, but their owner is not allowed to step foot inside club facilities, represent the team or attend games or practices during the suspension.
"I have stated on numerous occasions that owners, management personnel and coaches must be held to a higher standard than our players," Goodell said in an open letter directed at Irsay. "We discussed this during our meeting and you expressed your support for that view, volunteering that owners should be held to the highest standard."
The Colts owner was arrested by police back in March after he was witnessed driving erratically, Fox Sports notes. Irsay was found to have prescription drugs in the vehicle and couldn't pass field sobriety tests. He has been sentenced to one year of probation for misdemeanor DUI.
Irsay released an apology on Tuesday. "I acknowledge the mistake I made last March and stand responsible for the consequences of that mistake, for which I sincerely apologize."
While Irsay is serving his suspension, his oldest daughter Carlie Irsay-Gordon will have day-to-day control of the team.
image courtesy of Dara Kushner/INFphoto.com
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