Zitat des Tages von Jim Irsay:
I've always thought it's a great privilege to be a part of the NFL. Every day, you just treasure it.
In a perfect world, you make a seamless transition from one great era to the next, but that rarely happens. I've studied these things: how do you go from the Aikman-Irvin-Smith Cowboys to the next era? I'm all for continuity. I wish we could have done it that way with Bill Polian, Jim Caldwell, Peyton.
These diseases, both alcoholism and addiction, much like bipolar or depression and different illnesses, are still not seen as real diseases. People shy away from seeking help because it's viewed as being somewhat morally off the path, that they've lost their way.
Continuity is a great thing; staying the course and being patient, those are important virtues. But also there is virtue in being realistic enough to know you have to make serious changes sometimes.
It's all been a blessing, just being able to focus on my health and redouble the efforts on recovery. It's been a long path. I still have chronic pain.
I'd say my focus is on the season, my focus is on making the Colts the best team in the NFL. I'm completely engaged and have always been engaged, even when I was in rehab.
I have a photographic memory for numbers.
I'm just trying to avoid any future surgery. I'm just trying to stand up straighter. And the hip and back are better.
Honestly, at the end of every season, we sit down and review where we're at.
We wanted Peyton to have a chance to win another Super Bowl. We have a chance to honor him like we did other players that came back. He's one of the greatest players. In the end. you look for a great football game, and that's what you hope for.
Never once was it said I was disappointed Peyton didn't win us more than one championship.
You'd like to transition with continuity, have people in your own organization rise up and continue forward, whether in coaching or personnel or players.
If you can improve your franchise, even if you're doing well, you're going to make that move. You just are - at least I am. It's about winning and winning the right way and trying to sustain success over a large period of time.
I really think the disease aspect gets lost when you're talking about alcoholism and addiction; it's not like you're battling leukemia or a heart problem; it is that.
I have successfully dealt with my dependence and my chronic pain issues. I ask that my privacy and that of my family be respected on this health issue.
