Colts owner Jim Irsay procures over 10,000 surgical masks to aid in fight against coronavirus
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Colts owner Jim Irsay has joined the Patriots’ Robert Kraft as the latest NFL executive to procure a key piece of medical equipment to aid besieged hospitals in the battle against COVID-19.
Irsay announced via his Twitter account on Sunday that he procured over 10,000 N95 surgical masks and donated them to the Indiana State Department of Health. He follows the lead of the Krafts, who embarked on a movie-like journey with the governments of Mass. and China, as well as a number of influential business and legal figures, to purchase nearly 2 million N95 masks and fly them back to the U.S. on the Patriots’ team plane. Patriots president Jonathan Kraft detailed their quest for the masks in an interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Toucher & Rich last Friday.
As of midnight on Sunday, the ISDH is reporting 139 deaths and 4,944 total cases of COVID-19 in Indiana. There have been 26,191 reported tests. They are accepting donations of masks, gowns, gloves, eyewear, and any other medical equipment that can be spared.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 18: Jim Irsay the owner of the Indaianpolis Colts speaks to the fans at Reggie Wayne’s induction to the Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
The Patriots plane was able to fit 1.2 million masks, which flew back to Boston last Thursday. The other 500,000 will come in a later shipment. The Krafts directed 300,000 of them to New York, easily the hardest-hit state in the U.S. with 4,161 deaths and 122,911 cases due to coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 7,616 coronavirus deaths and 304,826 cases in the U.S. as of Sunday.
We tend to make fun of Irsay a lot here at 98.5 The Sports Hub. He’s quite the character. But this is a decision that shows character. It’s an objectively good gesture from the Colts owner.
Listen to Jonathan Kraft’s full interview with Toucher & Rich:
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
