“She’s Not Hiding Her Involvement”: Former NFL Exec Calls Out Double Standards As Carlie Irsay Gordon Faces Backlash for Sideline Presence

Former NFL executive Amy Trask is defending Carlie Irsay-Gordon, the current owner of the Indianapolis Colts, for taking her seat on the sideline during games. Trask, referring to Irsay-Gordon in an NFL on CBS X post, stated that it is "good for her" that she is not hiding her involvement, as some team owners are indeed more present on the sidelines than others.

Trask explained that while some owners are heavily involved in the team's operations, others rely on their staff to communicate with the sidelines. Irsay-Gordon, who took over as owner after her father's death in 2025, has been criticized for her presence on the sideline, with Bill Simmons comparing her actions to those of a male owner.

However, Trask argued that the level of involvement varies significantly from one owner to another, making Irsay-Gordon's behavior not as controversial as it appears. The controversy surrounding Irsay-Gordon's sideline presence stems from the fact that it is unusual for an owner to be so visible and engaged in the game. Critics, like Simmons, argue that if a male owner were to do the same, he would be heavily criticized.

Nonetheless, Trask believes that the reaction is exaggerated, as it depends on the team and owner in question. She emphasizes that Irsay-Gordon's interest in the process and her commitment to understanding the game are commendable, and that her involvement may fade as the team's performance improves.