WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returned to the sideline Sunday, making his first public appearance since being injured in a fall at his home in early December.
The 65-year-old owner told reporters he's continuing to rehabilitate from two subsequent surgeries. He remained seated in his golf cart during Indy's third training camp practice and is expected to be seated in a wheelchair when one of his former players, Dwight Freeney, is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next weekend in Canton, Ohio.
“It's great to see you guys, the fans and to be out here,” Irsay said. “I'm feeling great, you know, just trying to get this left leg stronger, which it will be. It's great to be out here and I'm so excited for the season and really excited for the Hall of Fame as well as for Dwight.”
Irsay has battled health issues in recent years, including a respiratory illness in January, following his fall.
Police officers from Carmel, Indiana, a northern suburb of Indy, responded to a 911 call from Irsay's home Dec. 8. According to the police report, the officers found Irsay breathing but unresponsive and with a bluish skin tone.
Longtime team executive Pete Ward, the report said, told officers he was worried Irsay was suffering from congestive heart failure and that Irsay's nurse had said Irsay's oxygen level was low, his breathing was labored and he was “mostly” unconscious.
Irsay has undergone two subsequent surgeries — one to relieve numbness in his left leg and weakness in his left quad caused by a nerve issue in his back, the other for a hematoma.
As a result, Irsay, who usually addresses his team in the locker room following games, had not been seen publicly — until Sunday.
“It's awesome,” former Colts player and assistant coach Cato June said. “I mean it's been a while. It's been a while. But it's always a blessing to see somebody in good spirits.”
Even as Irsay faces his own hurdles in making a full recovery, he's also hopeful the Colts can make a comeback on the field this season, too.
They have not been to the playoffs since the 2020 season, have not won an opening day game since 2013 and are hoping Anthony Richardson becomes the first quarterback to start consecutive season openers for Indianapolis since Andrew Luck in 2015 and 2016.
Injuries limited Richardson to four starts and forced him to leave three of those games early last season. He had season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder in October and much of the discussion this offseason has been about Richardson finding ways to protect himself from getting hurt.
On Sunday, fans cheered when Richardson was running on a play and the roars grew louder when he ran out of bounds.
Irsay, though, doesn't want his star player playing it safe.
“That tackle that happened could happen at any time,” Irsay said, referring to the play that ended Richardson's rookie season. “I think he has to seize the opportunity to use his feet when he can and protect himself as well. He knows that but at the same time, we drafted him because we know he is dangerous (with his feet) and he can pick up yards at critical times. I think his style is great.”
If all goes well for Irsay, he could soon be throwing footballs to the fans. At least, that's the hope for Irsay.
“I've heard there may be a drone dropping them before I can do that,” he joked. ”But I'm very close. It's frustrating because the left leg just doesn't have the push-off yet that I need. I mean I can stand up and those sorts of things, but in terms of walking and that sort of thing it's hard to do. It's hard to say how far I'm away from that, but it's not far."
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FILE - Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's practice facility Nov. 7, 2022, in Indianapolis. Irsay made his first training camp trip Sunday, July 28, 2024, marking his first sideline appearance since falling at his home last fall. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Hallmark launching a streaming service with two new original series, and Bill Skarsgård out for revenge in “Boy Kills World” are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: Alex Garland’s “Civil War” starring Kirsten Dunst, Natasha Rothwell's heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone” and Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts.
— Alex Garland’s “Civil War” is finally making its debut on MAX on Friday, Sept. 13. The film stars Kirsten Dunst as a veteran photojournalist covering a violent war that’s divided America; She reluctantly allows an aspiring photographer, played by Cailee Spaeny, to tag along as she, an editor (Stephen McKinley Henderson) and a reporter (Wagner Moura) make the dangerous journey to Washington, D.C., to interview the president (Nick Offerman), a blustery, rising despot who has given himself a third term, taken to attacking his citizens and shut himself off from the press. In my review, I called it a bellowing and haunting experience; Smart and thought-provoking with great performances. It’s well worth a watch.
— Joey King stars in Netflix’s adaptation of Scott Westerfeld’s “Uglies,” about a future society in which everyone is required to have beautifying cosmetic surgery at age 16. Streaming on Friday, Sept. 13, McG directed the film, in which King’s character inadvertently finds herself in the midst of an uprising against the status quo. “Outer Banks” star Chase Stokes plays King’s best friend.
— Bill Skarsgård is out for revenge against the woman (Famke Janssen) who killed his family in “Boy Kills World,” coming to Hulu on Friday, Sept. 13. Moritz Mohr directed the ultra-violent film, of which Variety critic Owen Gleiberman wrote: “It’s a depraved vision, yet I got caught up in its kick-ass revenge-horror pizzazz, its disreputable commitment to what it was doing.”
— AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr
— The year was 2006. Snow Patrol, the Northern Irish-Scottish alternative rock band, released an album, “Eyes Open,” producing the biggest hit of their career: “Chasing Cars.” A lot has happened in the time since — three, soon to be four quality full-length albums, to be exact. On Friday, Sept. 13, the band will release “The Forest Is the Path,” their first new album in seven years. Anthemic pop-rock is the name of the game across songs of love and loss, like “All,”“The Beginning” and “This Is the Sound Of Your Voice.”
— For fans of raucous guitar music, Jordan Peele’s 2022 sci-fi thriller, “NOPE,” provided a surprising, if tiny, thrill. One of the leads, Emerald “Em” Haywood portrayed by Keke Palmer, rocks a Jesus Lizard shirt. (Also featured through the film: Rage Against the Machine, Wipers, Mr Bungle, Butthole Surfers and Earth band shirts.) The Austin noise rock band are a less than obvious pick, having been signed to the legendary Touch and Go Records and having stopped releasing new albums in 1998. That changes on Friday the 13th, when “Rack” arrives. And for those curious: The Jesus Lizard's intensity never went away.
— AP Music Writer Maria Sherman
— Hallmark launches a streaming service called Hallmark+ on Tuesday with two new original series, the scripted drama “The Chicken Sisters” and unscripted series “Celebrations with Lacey Chabert.” If you’re a Hallmark holiday movies fan, you know Chabert. She’s starred in more than 30 of their films and many are holiday themed. Off camera, Chabert has a passion for throwing parties and entertaining. In “Celebrations,” deserving people are surprised with a bash in their honor — planned with Chabert’s help. “The Chicken Sisters” stars Schuyler Fisk, Wendie Malick and Lea Thompson in a show about employees at rival chicken restaurants in a small town. The eight-episode series is based on a novel of the same name.
— Natasha Rothwell of “Insecure” and “The White Lotus” fame created and stars in a new heartfelt comedy for Hulu called “How to Die Alone.” She plays Mel, a broke, go-along-to-get-along, single, airport employee who, after a near-death experience, makes the conscious decision to take risks and pursue her dreams. Rothwell has been working on the series for the past eight years and described it to The AP as “the most vulnerable piece of art I’ve ever put into the world.” Like Mel, Rothwell had to learn to bet on herself to make the show she wanted to make. “In the Venn diagram of me and Mel, there’s significant overlap,” said Rothwell. It premieres Friday, Sept. 13 on Hulu.
— Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise and Betty Gilpin star in a new drama for Starz called “Three Women,” about entrepreneur Sloane, homemaker Lina and student Maggie who are each stepping into their power and making life-changing decisions. They’re interviewed by a writer named Gia (Woodley.) The series is based on a 2019 best-selling book of the same name by Lisa Taddeo. “Three Women” premieres Friday, Sept. 13 on Starz.
— Sylvester Stallone’s second season of “Tulsa King” debuts Sunday, Sept. 15 on Paramount+. Stallone plays Dwight Manfredi, a mafia boss who was recently released from prison after serving 25 years. He’s sent to Tulsa to set up a new crime syndicate. The series is created by Taylor Sheridan of “Yellowstone” fame.
— Alicia Rancilio
— One thing about the title of Focus Entertainment’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 — you know exactly what you’re in for. You are Demetrian Titus, a genetically enhanced brute sent into battle against the Tyranids, an insectoid species with an insatiable craving for human flesh. You have a rocket-powered suit of armor and an arsenal of ridiculous weapons like the “Chainsword,” the “Thunderhammer” and the “Melta Rifle,” so what could go wrong? Besides the squishy single-player mode, there are cooperative missions and six-vs.-six free-for-alls. You can suit up Monday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.
— Likewise, Wild Bastards isn’t exactly the kind of title that’s going to attract fans of, say, Animal Crossing. It’s another sci-fi shooter, but the protagonists are a gang of 13 varmints — aliens and androids included — who are on the run from the law. Each outlaw has a distinctive set of weapons and special powers: Sarge, for example, is a robot with horse genes, while Billy the Squid is ... well, you get the idea. Australian studio Blue Manchu developed the 2019 cult hit Void Bastards, and this Wild-West-in-space spinoff has the same snarky humor and vibrant, neon-drenched cartoon look. Saddle up Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Nintendo Switch or PC.
— Lou Kesten
This cover image released by Polydor/UMG shows "The Forest Is The Path" by Snow Patrol. (Polydor/UMG via AP)
This combination of album covers shows “Rack” by The Jesus Lizard, left, and "The Forest Is The Path" by Snow Patrol. (Ipecac Recordings via AP, left, and Polydor/UMG via AP)
This combination of images shows promotional art for the films "Uglies," from left, "Boy Kills World," and "Civil War." (Netflix/Roadside Attractions/A24 via AP)
This album cover image released by Ipecac Recordings shows “Rack” by The Jesus Lizard. (Ipecac Recordings via AP)
This image released by A24 shows Kirsten Dunst in a scene from "Civil War." (A24 via AP)
This image released by A24 shows Kirsten Dunst in a scene from "Civil War." (A24 via AP)
This image released by A24 shows Cailee Spaeny, left, and Kirsten Dunst in a scene from "Civil War." (A24 via AP)
