Jim Irsay, the former owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has passed away, leaving his daughter Carly Irsay Gordon to take over ownership of the team. However, her recent emergence as a front-facing figure in the NFL hasn’t been embraced by everyone. Jason Whitlock, a host on BlazeTV, expressed his skepticism about the significance of her presence.
“She appears as the owner and stands on the sidelines. This seems to be a representation of the feminist movement gaining traction within the NFL,” Whitlock remarked.
He continued, “America, without question, has been influenced by the feminist movement, and that’s why we see women like Carly Irsay-Gordon on the sidelines with headsets, trying to portray themselves as knowledgeable about the sport.”
In a press conference where Irsay Gordon discussed the team’s performance, Whitlock observed that she appeared to be reading from a script.
“She glanced at her notes every few words, which makes it seem like she’s playing a part rather than genuinely leading,” he noted.
Whitlock pointed out that in 2022, NFL owners had indicated their desire for diversity among team ownership. This has led to the rise of several female leaders within the league.
“Promoting diversity that steps away from traditional norms — specifically masculine or patriarchal ones — is viewed positively. It disrupts established authority structures, and I think that’s why it’s considered progress,” he added.
While Irsay Gordon isn’t the first daughter of an owner to take control, Whitlock was critical of the intense focus on her during the Colts’ impressive start to the season.
“She became the star of the NFL narrative — ‘She’s holding coaches accountable, she’s on the sideline with a headset, let’s write about that,’” he said, dismissively.
“This is what the NFL is becoming,” he concluded.
