National Football League

Colts owner Irsay apologizes to fans for arrest

Published Sep. 2, 2014 3:29 p.m. ET

foxsports

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is apologizing to Colts fans for driving while intoxicated, saying his March arrest opened his eyes ''to issues in my life that needed addressing.''

Irsay pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. Afterward, he says he knows he made a mistake March 16 when he drove under the influence of prescription medications near his home in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel.

He says his arrest helped put him on a path to regaining his health. Irsay says he vows ''to turn this whole experience into a positive event for myself, my family, and the community.''

The NFL has suspended Irsay for the first six games of the season and fined him $500,000 for violating its personal conduct policy.