The NFL community was stunned on Wednesday evening following the news that longtime Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay had passed away peacefully in his sleep.
At 65 years old, his passing wasn’t entirely unexpected from an age standpoint, but it still felt premature—like he had so much more to contribute.
Irsay had been part of the Colts organization for over four decades, taking over as owner in 1997. Under his leadership, the team experienced the most successful stretch in its history.
Such a prolonged run of success requires countless smart decisions, and arguably Irsay’s most impactful was selecting Peyton Manning with the No. 1 pick in the 1998 NFL Draft.
Though Manning struggled early in his career, he eventually became one of the game’s all-time greats. He has always spoken highly of Irsay, making his emotional response to the news understandable.
In a touching Instagram tribute, Manning wrote, “He was an incredibly generous and passionate owner and I will always be indebted to him for giving me my start in the NFL.”
Many of Irsay’s former players chose him to present them at their Hall of Fame inductions—a testament to the deep, personal connections he forged with them.
Manning, who spent 15 years with the Colts, saw firsthand just how genuine and influential Irsay was.
There’s little doubt the Colts will dedicate the upcoming season to honoring his legacy.