Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay has died. The team confirmed his death in a statement Wednesday evening. He was 65.
“We are devastated to announce our beloved Owner & CEO, Jim Irsay, passed away peacefully in his sleep this afternoon,’ Pete Ward, the team’s chief operating officer, revealed.
‘Jim’s dedication and passion for the Indianapolis Colts in addition to his generosity, commitment to the community, and most importantly, his love for his family were unsurpassed. Our deepest sympathies go to his daughters, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson, and his entire family as we grieve with them.’
Irsay dedicated most of his adult life to the Colts.
After spending years around the team – his father, Robert Irsay, acquired the then-Baltimore Colts in 1972 – Jim Irsay worked in various capacities for the club, including as a ball boy, scout and in the personnel department. He became the organization’s youngest general manager in 1984, the same year of his father’s controversial relocation of the franchise from Baltimore to Indianapolis. Jim Irsay became the Colts’ controlling owner following Robert Irsay’s death in 1997.
‘Some of Jim’s fondest memories came from his youth working training camps in Baltimore and growing relationships with players, coaches, and staff whom he considered his extended family,’ according to the team’s statement.
‘Jim’s love and appreciation for the NFL in addition to its history, tradition, and principles influenced him to become a steward of the game throughout his 50-plus years in the League.’
Beloved for decades in Baltimore, the Colts didn’t win much initially after landing in Indianapolis. Irsay made a momentous trade with the Los Angeles Rams for legendary running back Eric Dickerson during the 1987 season, but the Indianapolis Colts didn’t win their first playoff game until 1995.
But the franchise became a powerhouse at the turn of the century. Quarterback Peyton Manning won a record five league MVP awards after the Colts picked him atop the 1998 NFL draft. Manning benefited greatly from the staff Irsay put around him, including general manager Bill Polian and head coach Tony Dungy. The Colts also selected a host of other future Hall of Famers, including wideout Marvin Harrison, running back Edgerrin James and defensive end Dwight Freeney.
After years of coming up short to the dynastic New England Patriots, Manning and Co. finally broke through to win Super Bowl 41 following the 2006 season. Indianapolis played again on Super Sunday three years later but lost to the New Orleans Saints in Super Bowl 44. With Manning on the field, the Colts captured eight division titles and only missed the playoffs twice.
However, the organization has largely struggled since, despite Irsay’s aggressive attempts to restore ‘The Shoe’ to glory. He made the decision to part with injured Manning in 2012 and drafted Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck No. 1 overall that year. Manning went on to lead the Denver Broncos to two Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl 50 (his final game), while Luck’s once-promising career was short-circuited by injuries that led to his surprise retirement shortly before the 2019 season. The Colts have not won a postseason game since.
‘We were deeply saddened to learn of Jim Irsay’s passing today,’ NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. ‘Jim was a friend, and a man deeply committed to his family, the game, the Colts, and the Indianapolis community.
‘Within the League, Jim was an active Chairman of the Legislative Committee and member of the Finance Committee. He led with integrity, passion and care for the Colts’ players, coaches and staff, and his courageous work in support of mental health will be a lasting legacy. Outside of football, he was a talented musician and built an extraordinary collection of historical and musical artifacts that he shared with people across the country. On behalf of the entire NFL, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Jim’s daughters and their families, and to his many friends throughout the NFL.’
Despite the Colts’ up-and-down fortunes under Irsay, he had other notable successes during his tenure. After playing in the RCA Dome for years, the club moved into beautiful Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008. Indianapolis staged Super Bowl 46 in 2012 and was widely acclaimed as the host city. Irsay also earned praise for his willingness to speak out against controversial Washington owner Daniel Snyder in 2022, sparking momentum that eventually led to Snyder’s departure.
Irsay was a colorful character off the field, too. He embraced power lifting as a young man. Later in life, he collected guitars, among other musical memorabilia, and fronted his own band – singing at events around Indianapolis.
Irsay battled substance abuse during his lifetime. He was arrested in 2014 amid suspicion of driving under the influence and drug possession. He eventually pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanors and was consequently suspended by the NFL for six games and fined $500,000.
In recent years, he was the face of the team’s ‘Kick the Stigma’ campaign in a bid to help people suffering from mental health issues.
‘Jim’s generosity can be felt all over Indianapolis, the state of Indiana and the country,’ read Ward’s statement. ‘He made philanthropy a daily endeavor. He never hesitated to help countless organizations and individuals live better lives. Music was one of Jim’s passions and the ability to share his band and collection with millions of people across the world brought him tremendous joy. Simply put, he wanted to make the world a better place and that philosophy never wavered all the way up to his passing. Jim will be deeply missed by his family, the Colts organization, and fans everywhere, but we remain inspired by his caring and unique spirit.”
Irsay spent recent years grooming his daughters to take the Colts’ reins. Irsay-Gordon ran the team during her father’s absence in 2014 and is expected to assume his role moving forward. However no formal succession plan has yet been revealed.
This story has been updated with new information.
