Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay was trying to rescue a killer whale and was ready to dedicate tens of millions to the cause, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
According to WTHR, Irsay tried to rescue Tokitae, but the killer whale died on Friday of renal failure. She was about 57 years old.
Tokitae was the second-oldest orca in captivity in the United States. She had been performing for over 50 years at Miami Seaquarium.
Irsay was trying to help get Tokitae back to her pod in the Pacific Northwest and was even pledging $20 million to make it happen.
Sad update: The whale that #Colts owner Jim Irsay planned on spending $20 million to save, Tokitae, died on Friday afternoon in captivity, per @WTHRcom
The Miami Seaquarium said she died from a potential renal condition.
There were plans to transport the whale across the… https://t.co/LZHpYFya2o
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 19, 2023
This led to NFL fans going after Irsay about the Jonathan Taylor situation, even though he was trying to be a mensch in this one.
So he can pay $20 mill to save a whale but cant pay Johnathan Taylor?! https://t.co/EK3t9aJwyO
— Justo (@Young_Justo) August 19, 2023
This is a Jonathan Taylor tweet. https://t.co/xaN1jXZVeO
— you have to call me nighthawk. (@AaronSpina) August 19, 2023
“So he can now pay his running back right? Right?” another tweet read.
So he can now pay his running back right? Right? https://t.co/i8dlrlPxO9
— Josh Kagy (@KagyJosh) August 19, 2023
Jonathan Taylor sitting outside Irsay’s window like https://t.co/mwK76l4Vai pic.twitter.com/KmLYLuitNp
— 𝘼𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙬 🦃🐈⬛🐝 (@704_Andrew) August 19, 2023
Does this mean he can pay Jonathan Taylor now? https://t.co/omCpBlAyK2
— Thicc Man Inc. (@ThiccManInc) August 19, 2023
Irsay and Taylor have had their difference as of late. Taylor is away from the team as he rehabs an injury but has also requested a trade since Irsay has yet to give him a new contract.
It remains to be seen if the two can better their relationship with the regular season just a few weeks away.