Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon explains viral clips amid potential controversy

Indianapolis Colts principal owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon became the subject of criticism among some members of the NFL community after clips showing her wearing a headset, taking notes and looking at the playbook during games went viral. 

During a recent appearance on the "Front Office Sports Tonight" program, Irsay-Gordon explained her in-game actions. 

Carlie Irsay-Gordon: Being a good leader is about listening

"I like to say on a good day I have like a fifth-grade reading level understanding of the game and just the basic concepts of what we’re trying to do, depending on the week and depending on our opponent and depending on the situation," Irsay-Gordon said, per Mark Maske of Front Office Sports. "But I think, then, it just helps to understand and to ask questions because I think one of the things, in my opinion, like being a good leader is about listening, really to understand. And I think that’s what the best teams do." 

The death of former Colts owner and CEO Jim Irsay in May 2025 resulted in his three daughters assuming control of the franchise. While Colts head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard were retained after the club finished last season with a record of 8-9, it's assumed the figurative seats belonging to both men are quite warm this fall. 

The Colts improved to 2-2 in the 2026 season via their 30-13 win over the Washington Commanders this past Sunday. Indianapolis next plays the 2-2 Pittsburgh Steelers this coming Sunday. As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts as 2.5-point road underdogs against the Steelers. 

Carlie Irsay-Gordon may be "more mindful" of her game-day actions

For what it's worth, NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently noted that he feels "other owners" should be as "actively involved in gathering the requisite information in real time" as Irsay-Gordon is. That said, it sounds like Irsay-Gordon may tweak her sideline habits moving forward. 

"With our dad passing away and kind of now me, you know, the title changed a lot of what I was doing," Irsay-Gordon added during the interview. " … [But] what I’m still doing isn’t any different. So I think that’s been something … to be more mindful of, that now people might be paying more attention to what I’m doing."