As talk of how NFL running backs are mistreated on the open market grows, Jim Irsay showed us his true colors in regard to Jonathan Taylor. After apparently having a conversation with Irsay about his future contract, Taylor requested a trade from Indianapolis Colts — a request that will probably not be honored.
All of this is rather ironic because it seems Irsay has a lot of money to throw around willy-nilly in non-football settings.
According to the New York Post, Irsay plans to spend $20 million to transport Lolita, an 8,000-pound orca, cross country from the Miami Seaquarium and release her into a netted bay in Seattle with her pod. It’s a noble cause — especially considering that the same report states Lolita no longer has the strength to swim for long or hunt for herself — but it does somewhat call into question Irsay’s priorities.
If Irsay has $20 million to spend like this, he doesn’t have $20 million, at least in part, to give to his best football player? I’m not sure I like this logic, and the timing and optics aren’t great either.
A lot of NFL fans thought the same, with plenty of Taylor jokes.