The Indianapolis Colts family was struck with grief this offseason when the fanbase had to suddenly say goodbye to long time owner Jim Irsay, who passed away in May. In the weeks following, it was announced that Irsay’s oldest daughter, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, would be assuming the front facing role of CEO.
As CEO, Irsay-Gordon conducted her first official sit down with team reporter JJ Stankevitz. In her interview, she likened the team to the Ship of Theseus.
The Ship of Theseus is a question in ancient Greek philosophy that explores the definition of identity. Irsay-Gordon asks if a boat’s wood gets replaced, is it still the same ship?
She told Stankevitz that she thinks of a football team that way. Though much has changed in the last few months, Irsay-Gordon shared her vision on how she will steer Indy’s ship.
“I know it could be misunderstood to say, I don’t like talking just about winning. I like talking about being the best,” Irsay-Gordon says. “… I feel like to say ‘win’ is just more outcome-oriented, right? It’s more outcome-oriented, more short-term. To me, it’s about being the best.”
Carlie Irsay-Gordon’s Colts Will Be Discipline Oriented
Irsay-Gordon, who seems to have a flare for niche references, called on the two explorers who sought to become the first humans to reach the South Pole in 1911. I’ll save you the whole story, but eventually the more disciplined explorer not only made it to Antarctica, but lived to tell the tale.
She says that to say this, it’s a long journey. She understands that there is a fine balance between urgency and recklessness.
“You can’t be so rigid,” Irsay-Gordon says. “You have to make a compromise, but then you also have to be able to be disciplined.”
“Players and coaches (have the most) urgency in the short term, and then personnel and your GM are kind of in the middle. And then for us as owners, we just — our horizon is so long.”
Anthony Richardson ‘Still Has Time To Prove It’
The biggest quote from the interview came when Irsay-Gordon was asked about the future of Colts 2022 top five pick, Anthony Richardson.
Seemingly every single media outlet has picked up the quote the team’s new owner provided on the 23-year-old gunslinger.
“Where he is in his career and in his deal as a rookie, we still have time,” Irsay-Gordon said.
The ‘time’ in question has been seriously threatened by the addition of longtime New York Giants starter, Daniel Jones.
“Bring a sense of urgency,” Irsay-Gordon said of Richardson. “And nothing brings a sense of urgency more than competition.”
Jones contract certainly implies more than an assumed back-up quarterback role. It is a one year deal worth 14 million dollars. This is nearly 150% of the cap hit current starting quarterback Anthony Richardson has.
Some point to this as an indictment on the team’s confidence in the former first round pick. Several experts predict that Jones will be the week one starter, and, despite the well wishes from the owner, it is highly unlikely she will have any say in the matter.
Colts’ New Owner Shares Her Vision For Team’s Future, ‘It’s About Being The Best’