Jason Whitlock took aim at Carlie Irsay-Gordon on Thursday, criticizing the Indianapolis Colts owner for her sideline presence during preseason action and framing it as a case of inheritance, not empowerment.
On his “Fearless” podcast, Whitlock referenced the attention Irsay-Gordon has received for standing on the sideline in a coach’s headset and taking notes during games.
“A year ago, the New York Times anointed her the NFL's atypical owner, which is press speak for heiress,” Whitlock said. “She stands on the sideline in a coach's headset, she does not speak into.
She scribbles notes between plays. Carlie inherited the same throne, she has not inherited the luck as of yet.”
Whitlock then said Irsay-Gordon should stay out of the spotlight until the Colts produce a franchise quarterback.
“Until she does, and if she ever does, take a seat in a suite and get off the sideline, say as little as possible. When, if you land your Peyton Manning, then fine, throw yourself into the lights; until then, sit down.”
He went further, accusing her of trying to mimic Jerry Jones.
“A woman cosplaying coach for the cameras, daddy's little girl playing Jerry Jones,” Whitlock said. “So here is my plea … Carlie, get off the sideline and to the media, quit shoving daddy's little girls down our throats.
Inherited money is not girl power. It is not empowerment.
It's nepotism and a headset.”
Carlie Irsay-Gordon became the principal owner and CEO of the Colts in May 2025 after the death of her father, Jim Irsay. The Colts did not make the playoffs last season, though the franchise was viewed as showing promise for the future under her leadership.
Their 2025 season ended at 8-9, with the team starting strong before quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14. Indianapolis then closed the year with seven straight losses.
The Colts have already opened their 2026 preseason with a 13-13 tie on Aug. 13.
They still have two more exhibition games before the regular season begins, starting with Saturday, Aug. 22 against the Atlanta Falcons at Lucas Oil Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET.
The final preseason game is Saturday, Aug. 29 against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium at 1:00 p.m. ET.
In July, Irsay-Gordon spoke about what she wants from the Colts in 2026, emphasizing consistency and the importance of Daniel Jones at quarterback.
“That first quality and success, consistency, you know, I think when you don't have, you know, quarterback position as an example, you know, that's the leader of our team,” Carlie said. “I think it's going into the second year, Daniel (Jones), you know, seeing what we saw in that first half, I mean that's such a key thing.
I mean, it's key for coaches, the way we build our scheme. It's key for Chris, the way we build our roster and fill in the pieces.
We have everything we need to get where we need to go.”
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