NFL: Detroit Lions at Indianapolis Colts
Aug 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon walks on the field after the game against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
The Indianapolis Colts beat the Washington Commanders, 30-13, on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Colts are now 2-2 on the season and right behind the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South standings with the Titans and Texans both winless a month into the season.
With the game being played in London with a 9:30 a.m. ET start time, fans had no other games to distract them from what was happening on the Colts sideline. As usual, that meant people saw team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon walking around. While team owners are no stranger to the sidelines, Irsay-Gordon’s use of a notepad and headset evokes a serious reaction in some people.
After making an off-hand reference to Irsay-Gordon earlier in the season, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons suggested people stop being so polite about the situation.
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Bill Simmons on Carlie Irsay-Gordon
Sometimes he can still reach back and fire the 100 MPH fastball https://t.co/z4dbpEAcxX
— The r/BillSimmons Podcast (@rBillSimmonsPod) October 5, 2026
“I’m not gonna tip toe around this anymore,” said Simmons. “And I know it’s been a topic the last couple weeks. I think the owner on the sideline taking notes is f—ing nuts. I think it’s nuts. I think it’s bonkers. I can’t believe she does this and I can’t believe people in her life haven’t talked her out of it. And now there’s this push of no, no, no, no she’s really into… If a male owner was doing this, we would be ridiculing this guy ’til the cows came home.”
“This would be like when Vivek [Ranadive] was celebrating the summer league title in the NBA and we thought it was so funny,” Simmons continued. “We would think it was so f—ing funny if some rich guy, male owner was on the sideline with a notebook like hovering over and giving advice to the coach. We would be like this guy… Even Jerry Jones wouldn’t do that. And Irsay’s daughter’s doing it and we’re like oh yeah, well she cares about the team. Why are we making excuses for how weird this is?”
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Carlie Irsay-Gordon criticism
Kalen Jackson (from left), Carlie Irsay-Gordon and Casey Foyt stand on the field Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of a game against
Kalen Jackson (from left), Carlie Irsay-Gordon and Casey Foyt stand on the field Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Simmons may have a point that a male owner doing the exact same thing would lead to ridicule, but the idea that no one is criticizing or making jokes about Irsay-Gordon is just as ridiculous. Two of the biggest football podcasters on the Internet, Simmons and former Ringer employee Ryen Russillo are both talking about it regularly. There is no shortage of memes about Irsay-Gordon on the Internet.
Call it weird if you want, but the long term criticism of Irsay-Gordon will be based on results. If the Colts win a Super Bowl with her taking notes, there’s not much that you can say, but until that day, people are going to continue to point and laugh. Some on bigger platforms than others.