Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay makes 1st trip to training camp since his December fall

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Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay makes 1st trip to training camp since his December fall

2024-07-29 07:47 Last Updated At：07:51

WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returned to the sideline Sunday, making his first public appearance since being injured in a fall at his home in early December.

The 65-year-old owner told reporters he's continuing to rehabilitate from two subsequent surgeries. He remained seated in his golf cart during Indy's third training camp practice and is expected to be seated in a wheelchair when one of his former players, Dwight Freeney, is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame next weekend in Canton, Ohio.

“It's great to see you guys, the fans and to be out here,” Irsay said. “I'm feeling great, you know, just trying to get this left leg stronger, which it will be. It's great to be out here and I'm so excited for the season and really excited for the Hall of Fame as well as for Dwight.”

Irsay has battled health issues in recent years, including a respiratory illness in January, following his fall.

Police officers from Carmel, Indiana, a northern suburb of Indy, responded to a 911 call from Irsay's home Dec. 8. According to the police report, the officers found Irsay breathing but unresponsive and with a bluish skin tone.

Longtime team executive Pete Ward, the report said, told officers he was worried Irsay was suffering from congestive heart failure and that Irsay's nurse had said Irsay's oxygen level was low, his breathing was labored and he was “mostly” unconscious.

Irsay has undergone two subsequent surgeries — one to relieve numbness in his left leg and weakness in his left quad caused by a nerve issue in his back, the other for a hematoma.

As a result, Irsay, who usually addresses his team in the locker room following games, had not been seen publicly — until Sunday.

“It's awesome,” former Colts player and assistant coach Cato June said. “I mean it's been a while. It's been a while. But it's always a blessing to see somebody in good spirits.”

Even as Irsay faces his own hurdles in making a full recovery, he's also hopeful the Colts can make a comeback on the field this season, too.

They have not been to the playoffs since the 2020 season, have not won an opening day game since 2013 and are hoping Anthony Richardson becomes the first quarterback to start consecutive season openers for Indianapolis since Andrew Luck in 2015 and 2016.

Injuries limited Richardson to four starts and forced him to leave three of those games early last season. He had season-ending surgery on his throwing shoulder in October and much of the discussion this offseason has been about Richardson finding ways to protect himself from getting hurt.

On Sunday, fans cheered when Richardson was running on a play and the roars grew louder when he ran out of bounds.

Irsay, though, doesn't want his star player playing it safe.

“That tackle that happened could happen at any time,” Irsay said, referring to the play that ended Richardson's rookie season. “I think he has to seize the opportunity to use his feet when he can and protect himself as well. He knows that but at the same time, we drafted him because we know he is dangerous (with his feet) and he can pick up yards at critical times. I think his style is great.”

If all goes well for Irsay, he could soon be throwing footballs to the fans. At least, that's the hope for Irsay.

“I've heard there may be a drone dropping them before I can do that,” he joked. ”But I'm very close. It's frustrating because the left leg just doesn't have the push-off yet that I need. I mean I can stand up and those sorts of things, but in terms of walking and that sort of thing it's hard to do. It's hard to say how far I'm away from that, but it's not far."

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Roma upsets Wolfsburg while Lyon and Chelsea both win as women's Champions League begins

2024-10-09 05:19 Last Updated At：05:21

Roma opened its women's Champions League campaign with an upset 1-0 win against two-time champion Wolfsburg, while record eight-time winner Lyon eased past tournament debutant Galatasaray 3-0 and Chelsea held on to beat Real Madrid 3-2 on Tuesday.

The most impressive performance belonged to Roma, considering it finished bottom in last season's group stage.

“It’s a huge victory, a result that we wanted at all costs,” Roma coach Alessandro Spugna said. “I think it is our best (result) in Europe. We delivered an intelligent performance, understanding the game and managing the difficult moments well."

All of Lyon's goals were headers, with France striker Kadidiatou Diani getting two of them in the other Group A match.

After Lyon lost the final to Barcelona last season, Lyon's coach Sonia Bompastor left to replace Emma Hayes at Chelsea.

Bompastor's new side was in charge for long spells at Stamford Bridge, before sloppy defending gave Madrid a late lifeline.

Roma took the lead early on at Tre Fontane stadium through captain Manuela Giugliano's 14th-minute penalty following a foul by right back Lynn Wilms.

Wolfsburg striker Alexandra Popp made her 99th competition appearance and is one away from becoming only the second player to reach 100, after Lyon’s Wendie Renard.

But it was defender Marina Hegering who was Wolfsburg’s most dangerous threat, and she twice went close with headers as the 2023 runner-up chased an equalizer.

Goalkeeper Camelia Ceasar made several saves to keep out the German side.

“We knew we were facing a top team, but we prepared well," Roma midfielder Giada Greggi said. "These games make you grow in every aspect: mental, technical, tactical.”

Lyon won the trophy five consecutive times during its heyday and was runner-up last season to Barcelona.

Diani headed in a 34th-minute cross from Mali winger Tabitha Chawinga, who assisted again moments before the break with a looping left-wing cross to give Canada's Vanessa Gilles an easy header from near the goal line.

Galatasaray goalkeeper Gamze Yaman denied Lyon before Diani nodded in Amel Majri's left-wing cross in the 77th.

Ada Hegerberg, who won the first women’s Ballon d’Or, went close to adding to her record 64 competition goals when she glanced a header wide in stoppage time.

Bompastor was replaced at Lyon by Joe Montemurro.

French hopes firmly rest with his side after Paris Saint-Germain — a semifinalist last season — was eliminated by Juventus in qualifying.

Hayes left Chelsea to lead the United States women and immediately made her mark with gold at the Paris Olympics.

Not seeing her patrolling the touchline must have felt unfamiliar for home fans after her 12 years in charge, which included a semfinal loss to Barcelona last season.

But they were cheering in the second minute when Sjoeke Nüsken forced the ball in after challenging for Johanna Rytting Kaneryd’s cross with Madrid defender Sheila Garcia.

Midfielder Guro Reiten's crisp penalty made it 2-0, but Madrid pulled one back shortly before the break when forward Alba Redondo's low shot went through the legs of goalkeeper Zecira Musovic.

A looping header from Colombia striker Mayra Ramírez made it 3-1 early into the second half.

Chelsea looked in control but some muddled defending led to a scramble and Colombian Linda Caicedo pounced for the Spanish side in the 84th.

In Group B’s other game, midfielder Kayleigh van Dooren struck in each half as Dutch side Twente won 2-0 at Celtic.

Barca’s quest for a third straight title begins on Wednesday with a trip to Manchester City, while Swedish club Hammarby faces St. Pölten of Austria in the other Group D game.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer