Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay Dead at 65
Published
|
Updated
Jim Irsay, the long-time owner of the Indianapolis Colts, has passed away at the age of 65, the team announced on Wednesday. Irsay’s death was confirmed in a message posted on social media, where the team highlighted his deep love for the game, the team, the city, and the fans.
Irsay inherited the Colts from his father, who purchased the team while they were still based in Baltimore before moving them to Indianapolis. Under his ownership, the Colts achieved a Super Bowl win in 2007 with the legendary quarterback Peyton Manning leading the team.
Having played football himself and studied broadcast journalism at Southern Methodist University, Irsay worked his way up in the organization, eventually taking over as general manager in 1984. Following his father’s passing in 1997, he became one of the youngest owners in league history when he assumed ownership of the Colts.
Known for his passionate and expressive approach, Irsay stood out among his fellow NFL team owners. In December 2023, he faced a medical scare that was initially classified as a suspected overdose by authorities. However, Irsay later refuted these claims, attributing his condition to a leg injury.
Throughout his life, Irsay openly discussed his struggles with alcohol and prescription pills, revealing that he had been to rehab numerous times. In an effort to raise awareness about mental health and addiction issues, he launched the initiative “Kicking the Stigma” in 2020, reportedly donating over $17 million towards the cause.
Aside from his dedication to football, Irsay was also passionate about music, maintaining his own band and an extensive memorabilia collection that he shared with fans. He is survived by his daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, his ex-wife Meg Coyle, and 10 grandchildren.
Jim Irsay’s legacy will be remembered not only for his contributions to the Indianapolis Colts but also for his advocacy for mental health awareness and his love for music. He will be deeply missed by the football community and beyond.
Rest in Peace, Jim Irsay.
